Arden B. Gackenbach, 97, of Bethlehem, was called home to his Lord and Saviour on Saturday, April 17, 2021.  His wife of 56 years, Eleanor (Gehret) Gackenbach, died in 2004.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Ezra and Lucinda (Gehman) Gackenbach.

Arden was employed as a metallurgical technician at the Homer Research Center of the Bethlehem Steel.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII for which he received a Purple Heart.

A longtime member of Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, Arden also sang in the Zion Choral Society.

Surviving are a daughter, Kay Kooistra and her husband John of Tucson, AZ; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Gackenbach of Eldersburg, MD; a brother, Vernal Gackenbach of Allentown; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by a son Kyle.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, in Bethlehem Memorial Park.

The Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem, is assisting the family with arrangements. (pearsonfh.com)