Arthur Heffner

Arthur S. Heffner, 93, New Bloomfield, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010, at home.

A native of Kutztown, Art was born Dec. 12, 1916, to the late Solon K. and Mamie (Behm) Heffner.

He was the husband of Gaythol B. (Bistline) Heffner, New Bloomfield.

A Kutztown High School graduate, he led the Cougars to Berks hoop titles from 1932 to 1935, and was the top scorer in Berks County for three years. He was a three-year starter at Kutztown University and also the state scoring champion.

He played pro football for Allentown Bears vs. Cleveland Browns. He played for Honey Russell in the American League and also in Wilkes-Barre, Trenton and Philadelphia.

He was a professional basketball official for 25 years. He was a professional trainer of bird and coon dogs for 40 years and became a nationally recognized field trial judge.

He was a World War II Army veteran.

He was government trained at Army War College and George Washington University, both in Washington, D.C. to cover all irregularities in the military and security for cryptographics code work and was a G2 government agent.

He became an interpreter for General Mark W. Clark's 5th Army because of his ability to speak German.

He was retired from the Dana Corporation.

He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Dryville.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Scott, Dallas, Texas; and a nephew, Robert Heffner, Allentown.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Nickel Funeral Home, P.O. Box 910, 3626 Shermans Valley Road, Loysville, PA 17047, with the Rev. Jay Eickhoff and the Rev. George Martz officiating. There will be no viewing Monday. Viewing will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, in the funeral home. Buria with military honors by New Bloomfield VFW Post 7463 will be in Blain Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Capital Region Division, 1019 Mumma Road, Wormleysburg, PA 17043, or American Cancer Society, 3211 N. Front St., Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.