Donald P. McArdle

Donald P. McArdle, 85, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born on April 25, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Jack and Marie McArdle, Don was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Don graduated from St. Justin High School in Pittsburgh, PA in 1952, where he played football with future NFL Legend, Johnny Unitas, with whom he remained lifetime friends. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Allegheny College in 1956, where he was a four-year member of the football team with his lifelong friend, David Reed. Most importantly, Allegheny is where Don met his future wife, Beverly Ann Garbark.

Don & Bev were married on June 15, 1957 and soon settled in Columbus, Ohio, where their first three children were born (one did not survive). After receiving a Master's Degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University in 1960, Don & Bev relocated to Lima, OH where Don began his business career in the electric motor division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Lima is where their next three children were born.

In 1964, Don moved his family to Bluffton, Indiana, where the next three children were born, to begin a 21-year career with Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Don and Bev were very active in the Bluffton community while he rose to the position of Vice President and General Manager of the submersible motor division. After a two-year stint as the President of the Briggs Plumbingware division of JP Industries in Tampa, Florida, Don and his good friend, Marv Huston, purchased McCoy Bolt Works, Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1987. Don remained active as the Chairman of the Board of McCoy Bolt until his passing.

Don was a very active member of the Fort Wayne community, involved in a great many civic, political, religious and charitable organizations. Along with his friend, John Tippmann, he organized an annual golf fundraiser for the Women’s Care Centers of Fort Wayne, about which he and Bev cared deeply. Don was a life-long sports fan, with a special affinity toward football and golf. Despite all of Don’s interests and activities, he maintained a special one-on-one relationship with each 29 of his grandchildren. .

Don is survived by his sister, Jacky Stromple, Pittsburgh, PA, brother Lyn (Jackie) McArdle, Dayton, OH, brother-in-law John Garbark, Pittsburgh, PA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his eight children: Robert (Jennifer) McArdle, of Fort Wayne, Patrick (Diane) McArdle, of Shawnee, KS, Lynda (Brock) Rittenhouse, of Fort Wayne, Michael (Julie) McArdle, of Fort Wayne, Mary (Michael) Ramirez, of Jasper, IN, David (Nancy) McArdle, of Bloomington, IN, Ann (Eric) Salek, of Medina, OH, and John (Christina) McArdle, of Fort Wayne. In addition, Don loved his 29 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Beverly Ann (Garbark) McArdle in 2014.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00pm Friday January 15, 2021 at St.Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, with calling 2 hours prior to the service. Please join the family to honor the life of Donald P. McArdle by livestream. Please visit St. Elizabeth’s website: https://seasfw.org/homilies Scroll down and click “Streamspot”. The livestream will begin about 10 minute prior to mass. Burial in in Greenlawn Cemetery Fort Wayne, IN. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Christ Child Society of Fort Wayne, PO Box 12708, Ft. Wayne, IN 46864 will be appreciated. Arrangements by D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home 8325 Covington Road Fort Wayne IN. To sign the online guestbook go to www.mccombandsons.com