Arnold C. Dinger

Arnold C. Dinger, age 93, of New Bethlehem, passed away Thursday morning, November 19, 2015 at Jefferson Manor Health Care in Brookville.

Born January 13, 1922 in New Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Ernest Oliver Dinger and Lorena Rumbaugh Dinger.
He was the starting tackle for the 1939 New Bethlehem High School football team.

Arnold married the former Betty K. Braughler on May 16, 1946 and she preceded him in death on August 12, 2013.
He was a Nationwide Insurance Agent for 30 years before his retirement and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of New Bethlehem, where he served on the board for many years.

Arnold served as the chairman (President) of the “Farmers and Merchants Picnic” held at the Redbank Valley Municipal Park in conjunction with the Clarion County Fair, for several years and arranged to have country star, Crystal Gayle, sing at one of the events. He claims to have enjoyed a scotch with her in the park/fair office!

He served as a member of the Redbank Valley Municipal Authority for 30 years and was once a member of the Barber Shop Quartet.
Arnold was a past president and lifetime member of the New Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2009 the Chamber awarded him with a special Life Time Achievement Award Citation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He was a lifetime member of the New Bethlehem Lion’s Club, selling roses and brooms with his “partners in crime”, Jack Milliron and the late Ed McLafferty. He was also a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in New Bethlehem.
Arnold enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, deer hunting and relaxing at his summer home on the Allegheny River.

He was an avid Steelers and Pitt football fan.

Survivors include two sons: Dennis Dinger and his wife, Patti, of Townsville, South Carolina and Ernest Dinger of New Bethlehem; four grandchildren: Amber Dinger of South Carolina, Aric Dinger of Florida, Shawna Dinger of South Carolina and Clay Dinger, serving with the United States Navy.

Arnold is also survived by a sister, Mildred “Midge” Wolfgang and her husband, Harry, of New Bethlehem along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Norma Mae White.

Family and friends will be received from Noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2015 at the Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service Chapel, 233 Penn Street, New Bethlehem.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 23, 2015 in the funeral home chapel with the Reverend Jodie Smith, a pastor of the Redbank Valley United Methodist Ministry, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Mt. Zion Cemetery on Beautiful Lookout, Armstrong County.

Memorial contributions may be given in the name of Arnold C. Dinger to the First United Methodist Church of New Bethlehem, 234 Penn Street, New Bethlehem, PA 16242.

Online condolences may be sent to Arnold’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com.