Frederick Arno Coleman

Frederick Arno Coleman, 89, of LeRaysville RR 1 (Pike Township) passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at Meadowview Senior Living Center, Montrose, Pa. Arno, as he was called by many family members and friends, was born Nov. 23, 1920, on the family farm in Pike Township, to James and Mary Owen Coleman. He graduated from LeRaysville High School in 1938. While in high school he played basketball, helping his team win a league championship one year, and was involved in other activities including orchestra, soccer and FFA. He was salutatorian of his class. He later graduated from Penn State with a degree in agricultural economics and rural sociology. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country during World War II. He was a radar man aboard Yard Mine Sweeper 111, spending time in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans until the small ship was badly damaged in a storm. After his time in the Navy, Arno worked for the Veterans Administration, teaching agriculture to returning Bradford County-area veterans. In the meantime, he began selling insurance on the side for the Farm Bureau Mutual company. Eventually, he switched jobs and went to work full time for Farm Bureau, which later became Nationwide. Arno went on to spend 52 years with Nationwide, working from a small office with gingerbread trim, a former barber shop, along Main Street, LeRaysville. In early years, he spent many a night visiting clients in their homes to explain policies to them. He believed in treating customers right and enjoyed meeting and serving many people in both his insurance and VA careers. While traveling local roads with his family in later years he often would remark about having known people in those areas through one of those professions. On Aug. 27, 1952, he married his long-time sweetheart, Loretta Briggs, in State College, Pa. In earlier years, Arno was active in many Masonic organizations, including LeRay Lodge No. 471 (past master), the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Towanda No. 067, Williamsport Consistory, Union Royal Arch Chapter No. 161 (past high priest), Northern Commandery No. 16 Knights Templar (past commander) and Irem Shrine. In 2009, he received a 60-year membership pin from LeRay Lodge. Until health problems of his own and in the family prevented him, Arno attended Neath Welsh Congregational Church, in earlier years serving as church clerk and being involved with the Bible study. He was a member of VFW Post 6824, Rome. Arno lived most of his life in the house where he was born. Over the years, he enjoyed lawn and garden work; golfing; shopping and eating out with family; spending time with his brother, the late William Coleman; Penn State football; and his pets. He was devoted to faith, his country, and his home and family. Arno is survived by his wife, Loretta Briggs Coleman, of LeRaysville; his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Ken Sharer of Stevens Township, Pa.; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Betty Mallow, formerly of Wellsboro, Pa., and now of the Sherwood Personal Care Home, in Canton, Pa., Harriett and Cart Roof of Standing Stone, Pa., and Steve and Florence Webb of Advance, N.C.; his nieces and nephews, Gene and Pam Beers, Cynthia and Jeff Aeppli, Dan and Barb Webb, Diane Webb, and Darlene and Steve Cary, and their families; and cousins. Arno was predeceased by his son, Jimmy; parents, James and Mary Coleman; brother and sister-in-law, William and Thelma Coleman; a brother-in-law, Golden Mallow; and an infant daughter, Mary. Masonic Services: Tuesday at 10:45 AM at the church. Visitation: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the church on Tuesday. Services: 1 PM Tuesday at Neath Welsh Congregational Church, Neath, PA. Instead of flowers: memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association- Southern Tier, 1406 Monroe Street, Endicott, NY 13760 or to the Neath Welsh Congregational Church, c/o Carl Russell, RR1 Box 41, LeRaysville, PA 18829. Services have been entrusted to the Bartron-Myer Funeral Home, Inc., 74 Church Street, Montrose, PA 18801. Please go to bartronmyerfuneralhome.com for directions or more information.