William D. Arnold

William Dale Arnold, 88, of North George Street, Bedford, died Thursday, May 22, 2014 at UPMC Altoona Hospital. He was born on May 6, 1926, in Bedford, a son of the late George and Stella (Ernest) Arnold. On June 1, 1947, in Cumberland, MD, he married Mary Ellen (Ritchey) Arnold, who survives along with the following family: two daughters, Sue Ellen Miller wife of Jack of Jamestown, NC, Ann Morgan wife of Mark of LaVale, MD; and a son, Donald Dale Arnold, and Fiancée, Janie Lemley of Bedford; four grandchildren: Myndie Miller, of Highpoint, NC,  April Dawn Foor wife of Devin, of Clayton, NC, Alexis Ann Martin, and special friend Mike Berkey, of Bedford, and Matthew Thomas Morgan, and special friend, Caitlin Murphy, of Baltimore, MD; three great-grandchildren: Cole Lebre Martin, Daxton Alexavier Foor, and Decklyn Alizabeth Foor; a sister, Hazel M. Gates, and special friend Gunter, of Baltimore, MD, fraternal twin brother, G. “Donald” Arnold, and special friend, Irene, of Baltimore, MD, brother, Charles Denton Arnold, widower of Lou Dolly, of Bedford; and special caregivers, Tina Hart, and Sue Turner.  He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jennifer Ann Miller, two brothers: Paul Victor Arnold, and baby Ernie Arnold.

Mr. Arnold was a 1944 graduate of Bedford High School, and served in the Air Force during WWII, as a B29 Tail Gunner, with the 58th Wing, 40th Bomb Group, with the 25th Squadron, Crew #55, in the South Pacific.  He was honored to be apart of the WWII Veteran’s of Bedford County Film.  He then came home and married his childhood sweetheart Mary Ellen. He was also a member, past Deacon, and served on various committee’s at the St. John’s UCC., a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Bedford Elk’s Lodge #1707, former president of the Bedford Rotary Club, Past Master of the Bedford Masonic Lodge #320, Free and Acceped Masons of Pennsylvania, Scotish Rite, Valley of Altoona.  Dale’s love of music started out in High School playing Trumpet Duet’s with his twin brother Donald. He was a member of the Bicentennial Band, and the Fred Shannon Smith Band.  He enjoyed Mustang GT’s, hunting with the guys at the Daniel Boone Camp, his dog Toby, family trips to the beach, passing out dictionaries at the elementary schools with his friend John Holbert, and visiting with friends at Wendy’s and McDonald’s.  He loved to spend Friday evening’s on the 30 yard line watching the Bedford Bison Football Team.  Dale and Mary Ellen worked a year with Kohr Brothers Ice Cream in Salem Willows Beach, MA which lead them to become the founders of the Dairy Dale Ice Cream Store.  Dale spent his life working as a building contractor and left many examples of his artistry around Bedford.  He was the developer of Barclay Manor. The family wanted to express a special thank you to the Angels at MSICU at UPMC Altoona Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., in the Chapel, at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, with Rev. Joseph Puleo officiating.  Burial at Bedford County Memorial Park, with full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.  Friends will be received on Monday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home where a Masonic Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. as well as a Elks memorial service.  Those wishing may make memorial contributions in Dale’s memory to: Bedford County Technical Center, 195 Pennknoll Road, Everett, PA 15537, or the Bedford County Humane Society, 1108 Lutzville Road, Everett, PA 15537.  Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.