Dale R. Fetter

Dale R. Fetter, 98, of Belden Road, Bedford, died Sunday, January, 18, 2015, at UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital.  He was born on January 1, 1917, in New Paris, a son of the late George L. and Mary E. “Mame” (Hoagland) Fetter.  On December 14, 1945, in Bedford, he married Dorothy L. “Meme” (Shaffer) Fetter, his wife of 69 years, who preceded him in death by three days on January 15, 2015.  He is survived by the following family: a daughter, Roberta Lorraine wife of Richard Holt, of Nyack, NY, son, Dean L. Fetter married to the former, Sandra M. Spade, of Everett, son, Richard L. Fetter, and fiancée, Judy Hillegass, of New Paris, daughter, Debra K. wife of Edward Snowden, of Collegeville, son Russell E. “Rusty” Fetter, of Bedford, and daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” wife of Lynn Whetstone, of Bedford; eight grandchildren: Christy Hall, Andrew Fetter, Kerri LeCrone, Brent Fetter, Allison and Jillian Snowden, Tyler Fetter, and Misti Lehman; nine great-grandchildren; three brothers: Paul Fetter and wife Janet, of Bedford, Ira Fetter, widower of Doris, of Fishertown, Eugene Fetter, and wife Ruth, of New Paris; three sisters Evelyn Wilkins widow of Donald, of Manns Choice, Alice Miller, wife of Charles, of Bedford, and Shirley Ketterman, wife of Ronald, of Bedford and one grand-dog, Diesel. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Carl and Russell Fetter, and three sisters: Ruth Norris, Myrtle Reisling, and Betty Glover.

Mr. Fetter was a 1935 graduate of Fishertown High School, where he was a member of the band and played the clarinet.  He served in the Army during WWII, in the North African and Italian Campaigns.  He was a Tech 4, assigned to Company D, 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service medal and a Silver Star.  When he returned home from the military, he worked for the PA Turnpike Commission, and then owned and operated the Belden Country Store for over 30 years with his wife.  He also owned the Belden Coal Yard, transporting many loads of coal and top soil to the residents of Bedford County.  He drove school bus for Bedford School District for over 30 years, and was a charter member and former trustee of the Pennwood Bible Church.  He was a caring husband and father who worked hard to provide for his family.  He instilled in his children great work ethics, perseverance and the importance of integrity.  Dale was also caring citizen that many times would stop to help people along the road who had broken down, or others who needed a hand in some way.  Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at the Pennwood Bible Church, with Rev. Floyd Rinehart, officiating.  Burial at St. Paul’s Reformed Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.  Friends will be received on Wednesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, and one half hour prior to the service at the church.  Those wishing may make memorial contributions in Dale’s name to: Pennwood Bible Church, 440 Hospital Drive, Everett, PA 15537; or Bedford County WWII Monument, 125 S. Juliana St., Bedford, PA 15522.  Our online guestbook is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com