Arlene Howard Craft

Arlene Howard Craft 7/29/1931-3/20/2025
On March 20, 2025, Arlene Howard Craft passed away peacefully at her home on the
Morongo Reservation in the presence of family. She was born at the Soboba Indian
Hospital on the Soboba Reservation on July 29, 1931.

Arlene was preceded in death by her grandfather, Pete Ramon, and grandmother Nancy
Morongo Ramon; her parents, Glen Howard and Katherine Ramon; maternal aunts,
Julia Horsman (Harry Sr.), and Dorothy Ramon; cousins Harry Horsman Jr., Gordon
Horsman, and Frederick Horsman; and her dear niece, Karen Horsman. She truly
missed her close friends Leila Lewis, Dorcy Poncho, and Carole Brown.

Arlene is survived by her beloved son, Samuel E. Craft, and her brother Ernest Siva,her 
sister-in-law, June Siva, and cousin Ranura DuBray. She will be lovingly remembered
and missed by her granddaughter, Olivia Briones (Jacob B.), and grandson, Samuel P.
Craft. Arlene leaves behind treasured great-grandchildren, little Arlene (Tavi), Nayeli,
and Jacob H. Briones. She much looked forward to the arrival of her soon-to-be-born
fourth great-grandchild, Alina Briones. Her daughter-in-law and constant support,
Veronica Craft will always hold dear Arlene's memory.

Also cherishing her memory are nephews Chad and Eli Poncho, niece Sabrina Poncho;
and goddaughters Saphira St. Marie and Miyone Arlene Peralta, and her many
Horsman relatives.

Arlene pursued education in the fields of social work and public health. The education
she achieved was applied to improving the lives of others. She worked with Indian
centers, medical clinics, and government programs in housing, job development,
and vocational training. Arlene was instrumental in assisting with the establishment of
the Morongo Band of Mission Indians' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
program (TANF). Providing programs, services, and resources for Native American
people in need was her primary motivation. This fueled her decades-long relationship
with the California Indian Manpower Consortium (CIMC). She started as a delegate from
her tribe, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and eventually served several years as
a member of the CIMC Executive Board.

Her family will honor her life with a service at the Morongo Community Center, 13000
Malki Rd., Banning, CA, on April 4, 2025, at 5 p.m. On April 5, there will be a 10 a.m.
service at the Morongo Community Center. Graveside service and burial will be at St.
Mary's Catholic Cemetery on the reservation.

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