L. Arden Boyer, Jr., 82, of Peru, Indiana, passed peacefully at 3:45 am, Monday, February 10, 2025, at Blair Ridge Health Campus in Peru. Arden was born to Lawrence and Fern (Zintsmaster) Boyer at home in New Holland (Wabash County), Indiana on April 26, 1942.
He has loved sports his entire life and played high school baseball for one year. In 1960 he graduated from Lagro High School. In 1964 he graduated from Huntington College with a teaching degree. He majored in Physical Education/Health and minored in Social Studies. In 1967 he earned a Masters of Arts degree in Social Studies and Drivers Training from Indiana University, Bloomington. He loved IU, which always sparked good-natured ribbing from Cheryl, a proud Purdue grad, during college football and basketball seasons.
Arden spent 37 years teaching middle school Social Studies and Drivers Training for Wa-Nee Community Schools. He also spent several years as Nappanee Middle School’s Athletic
Director. He retired from teaching in 2001.
Arden married Vickey Frazier on September 29, 1967 at the Union Center Church of the Brethren. They raised 4 children together while living in Nappanee-Jeff (Jamei) Boyer, Cheryl
(Doug) Schrock, Carol Boyer, and Aaron (Michelle) Boyer. They have 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren with another due to arrive next month.
After their 4 children were adults, Arden and Vickey became foster parents and adopted Nathan in 2000. He was the first child placed with them.
Arden loved sports! His love of sports is what prompted him to become a teacher, he wanted to coach. He played softball in church leagues for years. He stopped playing at age 65 because
the church he was attending didn’t have a team. One of Arden’s favorite memories was when he, Jeff, and Aaron were on the same team and each hit a homerun one game. He was a die
hard Cubs fan and he got Carol hooked on watching baseball with him by showing her Ryne Sandberg. After Ryno retired he tried to find another player for Carol to like so she would
continue watching the Cubs with him but it was no use.
Another passion he shared with Jeff and Aaron was deer hunting. He enjoyed mushroom hunting too and did both things up until a few years ago. He was a family man who provided for his family, often taking on multiple part time jobs to supplement his teaching income. His faith was very important to him and he regularly attended church services at the Nappanee Church of the Brethren, Nappanee Missionary Church, Olive Branch Church in Roann, and Bachelor Creek Christian Church in Wabash. He took part in several mission trips.
Arden spent much of his adult life in Elkhart County, living in Nappanee and then Goshen. In 2008 Arden and Vickey moved to Denver, IN where they resided until December 2023 when
they moved into Blair Ridge in Peru, IN. Arden was diagnosed with Parkinson’s around 8 years ago. Even while living with Parkinson’s he remained active. He impressed his PTs, OTs, and medical staff with his determination to workout and remain as strong as he could for as long as possible. He enjoyed attending Rock Steady exercise classes.
His wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren survive him. Also surviving him are 2 siblings, John (Sharon) Boyer and Barbara (Steve) Holthouse. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Monday, February 17, 2025, at Bachelor Creek Church of Christ, 2147 N. State Road 15, Wabash, with Joel Cogdell officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery, Denver. Friends may call Sunday, February 16, 2025, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash.
If you would like to honor Arden’s memory, please consider donating to one of the following organizations that he held dear- Parkinson’s Foundation, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Toys for Tots.
The memorial guest book for Lawrence may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
