Arnold (Arnie) Lee Feather, 95, of Lebanon, Indiana passed away on Tuesday morning March 3rd, 2020 at Wellbrooke of Avon. He was born December 3rd, 1924 in Millcreek, West Virginia, the son of the late Carl Walter and Nar Edith (Garlow) Feather.
Raised in Millcreek WV, he was a 1943 graduate of Tygarts Valley High School. Even though he was already drafted, Arnie was allowed to graduate high school. Three days after his graduation he boarded a troop train bound for Fort Bliss, Texas. After completing basic training, he was deployed to the European theater of World War II in 1944. Arnie was assigned to Company M, 333rd, 84th Infantry Division (Railsplitters). Arnie saw combat in the German town of Geilenkirchen and also fought in several other engagements along the Siegfried Line as a heavy machine gunner during the winter of 1944-1945. Arnie also fought fiercely during the Ardennes Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. He was severely wounded by German mortars during an attack on the Belgian town of Houffalize on January 15, 1945 and was later awarded the Purple Heart after spending 8 months in recovery in a hospital in Paris, France. Arnie was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge along with other citations. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1946 and returned home.
On September 11, 1954, he was married to his loving wife Beverly Dell (Case) Feather in Oakland, Maryland. Beverly preceded him in death on August 30, 2007. The couple had resided in VanWert Ohio, South Bend, Indianapolis, Carmel, and Noblesville before moving to Boone County in 1994.
Arnie worked as a Sales Manager for McMahan & Leib Wholesale Grocers in Anderson, Indiana and Maplehurst Dairy of Indianapolis. He was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis, Murat Shrine, and National Rifle Association.
A dedicated husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, he dearly loved his family. He had a soft spot for rescued shelter dogs, including his four-legged companion Bailey. Arnie was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and old western films, particularly ones featuring John Wayne.
Survivors include:
Three Children:
• Pamela (Alan) Anders of Portsmouth, Ohio (from a previous marriage)
• Jill N. Feather of Lizton, Indiana
• Kurt G. (Becky) Feather of Bloomington, Indiana
Three Grandchildren:
• Feather Anders of Portsmouth, Ohio
• Austin G. Feather of Bloomington, Indiana
• Cade G. Feather of Bloomington, Indiana
Brother:
• Carl (Ruth) Feather of Richmond, Virginia
Niece:
• Susan Feather Godwin of Richmond, Virginia
Nephews:
• Tim Feather (Wendy) of Glen Allen, Virginia
• Randy (Marie) Case of West End, North Carolina
Funeral Services with military rites will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6th, 2020 at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, Lebanon, Indiana. Visitation is planned from 12:00 noon until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Interment will follow services at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be directed in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to the IACS Rescue (Indianapolis Animal Care Services), 2600 South Harding Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46221.
