Arla Lee Chatfield

Arla Lee Chatfield, age 86, went home to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, after a courageous and fierce battle with vascular dementia.

Arla was born on October 27, 1939, in Columbus, Ohio to the late Arlo and Mabelle (Neer) Chatfield.

Arla was Captain of her debate team in college and graduated from Ohio State University with a double Bachelor’s in English and Spanish and a minor in History. She taught those subjects for many years primarily in the Columbus City Schools. She also attended Law School at Capital University in Columbus. Arla was a prolific writer and wrote several articles for Muscle & Fitness and Flex Magazines during the 1980s. Arla later published her own newspaper, the McArthur Sun, which she printed and distributed herself around her beloved hometown of McArthur.

Arla was active in Baptist and Methodist Churches throughout her life. She was a kind and caring person, loved by many with several lifelong friends. Arla loved her family and pets and enjoyed spending time with her numerous grandchildren and her great-grandchild.

Some of Arla’s favorite past-times included travelling, gardening, swimming, tennis, reading, writing, sewing, piano and ballet performances.

Arla was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Morgan; ex-husband and father of her children, Clarence Krichbaum; daughter, Krista Krichbaum; parents, Arlo and Mabelle Chatfield; brothers, Lloyd Sr. and Rausel Chatfield; nephew, Brandon Chatfield; and great nephew, Chandler Chatfield-Flora.

She is survived by her children: Carla Krichbaum and Kendra Krichbaum; grandchildren, Rosa Krichbaum (Jared Gibbons), Isabelle, Emma, and Jacob Todd and their father, Andrew Todd, David Samuel Casdorph and Ella Rose Casdorph, and their father, David Casdorph; great grandson, Liam Gibbons; nieces and nephews, Lloyd, Leah and Holly Chatfield.

In her final years, Arla lived in a world that was increasingly her own — but her smile never faded, and her hand always reached for those she loved.

Arla’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of her doctors and nurses, the UA Fire Department and responders and UA CARES program.

Funeral services will be held 1 P.M., Saturday, April 18, 2026, in the Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St., McArthur, officiated by Rev. Jim Taylor, with visitation 1 ½ hours prior to the service. Interment will be in Elk Cemetery, McArthur.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.cardaras.com

The kiss of the sun for pardon

The song of the birds for mirth,--

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

- Dorothy Frances Blomfield Gurney