Arnold Elwood ‘Whitey’ Hager
Arnold Elwood ‘Whitey’ Hager, age 88, former longtime resident of Markleysburg, Pa., passed away on Monday, April 15, 2013 at The Village of Laurel Run where he resided from 2007-2013 and received excellent care for a lengthy illness. He was born November 3, 1924 in Farmington, Pa., son of Walter Hager and Sadie Marker Hager
Arnold actively attended Sansom Chapel United Methodist Church, Farmington, Pa.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and member of the NRA.
Mr. Hager attended Potter one room School. After finishing seventh grade he took and passed the examination for high school, thus skipping eighth grade.
He graduated from South Union Township High School in 1942.
In 1943, he was drafted He entered the Army on May 5, 1943. His first point of engagement was in New Guinea. During his service, he received seven Bronze Battle Stars in addition to his medals.
He attended Penn State University at Middletown majored in Engineering.
He worked for 10 years as a Designer for the former Groff and Myers Engineering Inc. and 22 years for Pennsylvania Department of Highways (PennDOT) in Contact Management from which he retired in July 1984. One of his largest projects was working with other engineers to design Interstate 81, including the South Bridge in the early 1960s
‘Whitey’ was a life member of the American Society of Highway Engineers and served as its President from 1982 to 1983.
He was a Charter and Life Member of the Fort Necessity Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 265 for Farmington and Ohiopyle, Pa. He served as Chaplain for the Post for 24 years.
He was also a member of the General George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103 in Hopwood, Pa.
Surviving are two daughters: Norma Bigham and husband Lee of Fayetteville, Pa., and Nancy Mann and husband Dennis of Dillsburg, Pa.; a step-daughter, Karen McAuliffe and husband Michael, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; two grandsons: Ryan Bigham and wife Denise of Chambersburg, Pa., and Rodney Mann and wife Melissa of Shiremanstown, Pa.; four great grandchildren; two step-granddaughters: Michelle Ohmit and Melissa Conway both of Bellefonte, Pa.; four step grandchildren; two brothers: Delbert Hager and wife Shirley of Farmington, Pa., and Raymond and wife Betty of Smithfield, Pa.; three nieces: Sharon Hager Rudzienski, Debra Hager Pyle and Darla Hager Umbel; and nephew, Rickie Hager.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his wife, Daisy K. (Zack) Hager; and by a son, Arnold Eugene Hager.
Friends will be received in DONALD R. CRAWFORD FUNERAL HOME, 4222 National Pike, FARMINGTON, Pa., Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 24, until 10 a.m., the hour of the Service with Pastor Steve Davis officiating.
Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum, Sylvan Heights Cemetery Uniontown, Pa.
Fort Necessity V.F.W. Post 265 will conduct Military Honors at the cemetery.