Arden

Harry G. Arden, 94, of rural Gillespie, Ill., died at Heritage Health of Gillespie on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. He was born April 29, 1928, in Benld, the son of Mike and Peligia Arden. He married Millie Motika on Aug. 1, 1959, at the Holy Dormition Orthodox Church, Benld. She survives.

The family moved to Chicago when Harry was 9 years old. He graduated from Harrison Technical High School in Chicago in 1946. He worked at Schumaker Flying Service and obtained his aircraft and engine mechanic's license. Additionally, he received his commercial pilot's license and his flight instructor's rating. He then relocated back to Benld and set up an aircraft repair shop at Hillsboro Airport in Hillsboro in 1950 along with his brother John. He was drafted into the Army and was sent to Darmstadt, Germany, as an aircraft mechanic. He applied for helicopter flight training and was sent to the U.S. Army Aviation School at Ft. Sill, Okla. He graduated as a warrant officer and was retained as a flight instructor. He was honorably discharged from the Army in March, 1955. He attended the University of Illinois and attained a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked at McDonnell Aircraft then at Basler Electric in Highland, Electrical Products Central Division in Highland which later became Parsons Peebles and retired in 1995. He enjoyed playing golf, fixing anything that was broken, crossword puzzles, and taking trips with his wife. He was a member of the Holy Dormition Church of Benld and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 214 of Gillespie, Mensa Organization and CFU Lodge 217.

He is survived by his wife, Milly Arden; niece, Sharon Moore and her children, Dillon and Michael Moore, Dana LaFontsee of Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Olga Massa and Frances Arden of Wilsonville. Harry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Nick Arden, Steve Arden, John Arden; sister, Mary Pleny and a sister in infancy. Burial will be in the Holy Dormition Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to donor's choice. Condolences may be left at http://www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie was in charge of arrangements.