Obituary of Charles J. McArthur

Charles J. McArthur, age 93, a resident of Elkland, Tioga County, PA for the past 33 years, formerly of Hatfield Twp., passed away peacefully, Friday, June 26, 2015 in Wellsboro, PA. He was the husband of the late Ruth (Kaler) McArthur, (his high school sweet heart) for 67 years. Born March 14, 1922 in Trewigtown, PA, he was the youngest son of Goldie (Zentmyer) and Alexander McArthur. He was a graduate of the former Hatfield High School, class of 1940. Upon graduation he served as an apprentice in the Budd Co. of Philadelphia as a tool and die maker, after which he joined the Army Air Corp. Charles flew 51 missions as tail gunner on a B24 in the European Theatre based in North Africa and Italy. Upon returning home, Tech Sgt. McArthur taught Gunnery School on bases in Albuquerque, NM, Denver, CO and Casper, WY. With his discharge from the service, Charles started his business of McArthur's Guns and Sproting Goods store in Colmar, PA. His gunsmithing was well known to the residents of Montgomery Co. Charles was the 1963 North American Trap Shooting Champion class B and was proud to teach others the sport. He was a Hatfield Twp. supervisor and a deputy game warden throughout his adult life. He closed his store after 34 years, and retired on his 180 acre mountain farm to build his own log home for the love of his life, Ruth. The couple adored their life in Tioga Co. as well as all the wildlife that was abundant there. After 50 years he was awarded his purple heart for his service in WWII. Charles enjoyed refurbishing large equipment such as farm tractors and dozers. He was a master mechanic with a unique ability of reinventing objects into useful pieces of equipment. A hunter all his life, he spent countless hours on his mountain hunting with Ruth and their family. He embraced his family with gusto and always had time to teach them something new. Charles is survived by three daughters, Lynn R. (Larry) Alderfer of Green Lane, Rae L. Griffith of Elkland, and Gail L. (Wayne) Stover of Howard; four grandchildren, Gregory Scott Alderfer, Leslie Rae Paul, Jeremy Scott Griffith and Kelly Rae Schavnis; and seven great grandchildren, Steven Gregory, Jacob Anthony, Alexandra Rae, Lydia Ruth, Emma Marie, Brendan Charles and Thomas Joseph. He was preceded in death by brothers, John, Leslie, George and Robert McArthur. A private family service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Charles' name to The Salvation Army, P O Box 26800, Lehigh Valley, PA 18802-6800 or to a local S.P.C.A. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.WilliamsBergeyKoffel.com. Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA is assisting the family. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com