Warren VanArsdalen's Obituary
Warren VanArsdalen, Jr., of Lewes, DE passed away peacefully on Friday, April 20, 2012, at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford, DE. He was born on February 4, 1930, in Wilmington, DE, son of the late Warren Sr. and Virginia (Wilhelm) VanArsdalen.
Mr. VanArsdalen graduated from P.S. Dupont High School in 1949 and from the University of Delaware in 1953 with a degree in Physical Education, he was a brother of Sig Ep. Following graduation he spent two years honorably serving in Korea with the United States Army Medical Core. The time spent in the medical core influenced him to return to school for a higher passion; in 1957 he would graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Physical Therapy.
Mr. VanArsdalen began his career working for Pall Port Rehabilitation in Wilmington, DE, eventually moved to Memorial Hospital in Wilmington, and finally opened his own practice, The Physical Therapy Suite in Wilmington and Newark. As he started winding down his career he delivered home health care and worked for the Curative Workshop in Wilmington. He retired to Lewes in 1998.
Mr. VanArsdalen was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church, Lions Club, JC’s, American Legion and the Barber Shoppers Chorus, “Nautical Sounds,” of Ocean View, DE. He loved working with his scroll saw and produced many fine pieces of wood art; he was an avid fisherman as well. Most of all Mr. VanArsdalen was a sports fan always cheering for the Phillies, Eagles, Duke Basketball, and close to his heart, the Fighting Blue Hens. He was an easy going happy gentle man and a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who will be sorely missed.
In addition to his parents, Mr. VanArsdalen was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Hutson (2008). He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Barbara Ellen (Gifford) VanArsdalen; four daughters: Rosalyn Strickland and her husband Charlie of Newark, DE, Valerie Dixon and her husband Paul of Wilmington, DE, Dianne Green and her fiancé Tomasso Maimone of New Castle, DE, and Christine Reeves and her husband Dave of Rising Sun, MD; two sons: Allen Prettyman and his wife Tara of Newark, DE, and Stephen Prettyman and his wife Jacquline of Houston, TX; six grandchildren: Lindsay, Phillip, Tommy, Doug, Morgan, and Duncan; and two great-grandchildren: Drake and Jayden.
Committal Services will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 2:00 PM, at Bethel Methodist Mausoleum, Savannah Road, Lewes, DE. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, Attn: Pastors Discretionary Fund, 129 W. Fourth Street, Lewes, DE.
Please sign Mr. VanArsdalen’s online guestbook by clicking the sign guestbook button on this page.
PDF Printable Version
What’s your fondest memory of Warren?
What’s a lesson you learned from Warren?
Share a story where Warren's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Warren you’ll never forget.
How did Warren make you smile?