David W. Arner of Bethlehem died on January 16, 2021 at Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehab facility. He was the husband of Deborah M. Arner (Martin) and the late Irene A. Arner (Brady). Born July 22, 1932 in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Charles and Arlene (Fritzinger) Arner. Upon graduating from Liberty High School (1950) he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Moravian College (1954) and a Master of Education Degree and a Principal Certification from Lehigh University (1960). He began his 36-year career in education as a mathematics teacher in East Lebanon County School District, Newmanstown, PA in 1955. Eleven years (1956-67) of employment in the Hellertown-Lower Saucon School District as a mathematics teacher, guidance counselor, Student Council advisor, and basketball coach were followed by 5 years (1967 -1972) as a guidance counselor at Freedom High School, Bethlehem. In the Fall of 1972, he returned to the Saucon Valley School District to serve 19 years as Junior High School Principal. During his tenure, the junior high school program was converted to a middle school concept. He held life memberships in the teacher organizations of the NEA and PSEA and memberships in PASSP, PASR and PSEA-R. As a teacher he was active in the SVEA, the local branch of the PSEA, serving as treasurer and president. He was a co-founder of TOPS (Teachers On Permanent Sabbatical), a monthly breakfast gathering of Saucon Valley School District teachers. During his years at Moravian College, he was a member of the basketball team, President of the social fraternity Sigma Theta Pi and President of the Student Government (1953-1954) which was the final year of the Moravian College for Men. He served on the Moravian College Alumni Board, Alumni Weekend Committee and the committee for the 50th and 55th reunions for the Class of '54. While a member of Christ United Church of Christ, Bethlehem, he served on Consistory, the Senior Pastor Search Committee and as a youth basketball coach in the YMCA basketball league. He was a past member of Wesley United Methodist Church. As a fellowshipper in the Bethlehem Baptist Church (now Life in Christ Church) he was active in several committees and functions. He enjoyed taking pictures and sharing photos of family members, family gatherings, church members and events, historic trips, Moravian College activities and reunions, and Bethlehem High School reunions of which he served as a reunion committee member. He looked forward to family gatherings and celebrations including the annual all-family Thanksgiving and Easter Dinners. Pleasure and pride overflowed when he attended the sporting events, theatrical plays, concerts and musicals of the many grandchildren.

Survivors: Wife; son David C. Arner and his wife Bonnie of Bethlehem; daughter-in-law Stephanie of Pittsburgh; stepsons Steve Samuelson and his wife Tracy of Bethlehem; John Snyder-Samuelson and his wife Kris of Slatington; George Samuelson and his wife Elizabeth of Bethlehem; stepdaughters Julie Samuelson-Heffernan wife of Daniel Heffernan of West Newton, MA; Joanna Samuelson-Gillies wife of Shane Gillies of Columbus, OH. He was predeceased by his daughter Nancy Irene Arner in 1989 and his son Mark Brady Arner in 2013. Grandchildren – James Arner, Nicole Arner, Ethan Arner and Rachel Arner. Step-grandchildren – Molly Samuelson, Michael Samuelson, Brian Heffernan, Magdelene Heffernan, Evelyn Heffernan, Carter Snyder-Samuelson, Martin Gillies, Ingrid Gillies, Emmett Gillies, Malcolm Gillies, Henry Gillies, Charlotte Samuelson, Lauren Gaudelli, Justina Kress.

Services: A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Cystic Fibrosis, Life in Christ Church or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morning Call on Jan. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for David Arner

Sponsored by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home - Bethlehem.

11 Entries

Quinette R Brucker

January 16, 2022

My sincere sympathies on the passing of Mr. Arner. I had the pleasure of having as a math teacher in high school at SV and then coming back and working with him in the Junior High when he was principal. He was always a kind caring man who always had a smile and kind words to say when you saw him. I also found out that he played basketball with my Uncle Richard Eckert at Moravian College. He was a fine man and I was very glad to have had him enrich my life. He will be missed.

Walt Garvin

January 29, 2021

My sincere condolences to Steve and to the entire family on the passing of David. His life was one of dedication to education, service, and the enrichment of his community - A life well lived. May He Rest in Peace!

Michael Zonay Sr.

January 27, 2021

Mr. Arner was my math teacher and basketball coach at Hellertown High School 60 years ago. He was a respected educator and role model. It was a privilege to have him as a teacher and coach.

Quinette Brucker

January 25, 2021

My sympathies to the family. Mr. Arner was a fine kind, caring, professional, thoughtful person who I had the privilege to know as a student and later as a coworker. He will be missed. What a glowing send off. His obituary is a tribute to the kind of man he was.
Sincerely,
Quinette Brucker

Sue Madzarac

January 25, 2021

I have known Dave for many years through church, Freedom and Saucon Valley. He was such a wonderful person. He surely will be missed.

Robert F. McGlade SVJH SVMS

January 25, 2021

To the Arner Family,

My deepest sympathy goes out to you at this most sorrowful time. I had the privilege of being part of Mr. Arner's faculty from 1978 until he retired. Mr. Arner was always thoughtful, kind, encouraging and above all professional when dealing with his staff. I will always remember the advice he gave me in my young teaching career. I am proud to have had the privilege of working with him.

Andy Baranek

January 24, 2021

I offer my sympathy to the family and friends of Dave Arner. Early in my 35 year career as a math teacher, I taught at Saucon Valley Junior High/Middle School for the last few years that Dave Arner (Mr. Arner to me back then) was school principal there. I have always had such fond memories of my experience there with him as our leader. He was a true gentleman, humble, firm, fair, understanding, encouraging, sincere, compassionate, and always professional. He had a profound effect on my development as a young teacher. He had such a natural way of building relationships and trust, with all staff members and students. I will be forever thankful for having had the opportunity to work with him, and to have received his nurturing support and guidance.
Sincerely,
Andy Baranek

Harry J Irvin

January 24, 2021

I had the privilege of working for/with Dave for 4 1/2 years as a SV teacher.
He was what all school Principals should be.. a great leader, supportive, and innovative. I learned so much from Dave. Debbie and family, his was a life well-lived. I am so glad I had the opportunity to know him.

David Charles Smith

January 24, 2021

My deepest sympathy and Christian love is extended to John, Kris, Carter, and the entire family at this time of loss. May the peace of the Risen Christ offer comfort and hope in the days ahead.

Marsha Goss

January 24, 2021

David Arner was one of the best administrators I ever worked under. He was a kind and supportive leader and mentor when I taught at Saucon Valley Junior High - a true gentleman.

Elizabeth Ortolano

January 23, 2021

You wrote a lovely obituary for a wonderful man. He was always positive and personable - someone I felt blessed to know. My heart goes out to you all having to say goodbye for now.

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