L. Arlene Newell Hepner

L. ARLENE NEWELL HEPNER, 95, of Butler passed away Tuesday evening (06-09-20) at Skilled Care-Concordia in Cabot, Pa. following a period of declining health.

Born on February 26, 1925 in Sligo, Clarion Co., Pa., she was daughter of Donald (Sr.) and Elsie M. Rankin Newell.

She married H. Ray Hepner, Sr. on July 10, 1949 and he passed in 2005.

A dedicated student and educator, she graduated Clarion High School Class of 1941, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Slippery Rock State College (now University) with a B.S. in Elementary Education in January 1969, and later completed her Masters in Education from the present SRU at Slippery Rock. Arlene also earned her Reading Specialist Certification. In 1965-66, Mrs. Hepner worked in the Physical Science Laboratory and attended classes at New Mexico State University.

She was employed as a Reading Specialist for Title-1 serving over twenty one years with the Karns City School District, retiring in June 1990.

In earlier years, Arlene worked at the Post Office in Sligo, Bell Telephone in Pittsburgh, and Du-Co Ceramics in Saxonburg.

She was a longtime member of East Unity Presbyterian Church near Eau Claire, OES Chapter #60 of Parker City, and the DAR of Butler.

A loving and devoted Mother, she is survived by one son H. Ray Hepner, Jr. of West Sunbury and three daughters Jean Lindsay of Ocala, FL., Susan Hepner of New Castle, and Charlene Hepner also of Ocala; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Surviving also are two sisters Patricia Weidner of Brookville and Peggy Reinsel of Limestone (Clarion Co.) and one brother Lowell “Jeff” Newell of Howell, MI. as well as nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Sherri Litzenberg Hepner, and sister Elsie Summerville, and two brothers: Denny Newell, and Donald Newell, Jr.  who died on a photography mission in an aircraft taking off from former Rhea Airport near Clarion in which he and the pilot were both killed (1966).

Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday, June 15, 2020 at H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, 201 So. Washington St., Eau Claire. The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Monday in funeral home with burial to follow at East Unity Cemetery, Cherry Valley Boro., Butler Co., Pa.

To view/send condolences, flowers, sympathy cards visit: www.buzardfuneralhomes.com