Arlene J. (Fausnacht) Yingst

Arlene J. Yingst was born on October 3, 1930, and went to be with her Maker on March 3, 2026.

Arlene was born on their small family farm outside of Palmyra.  She was one of seven children born to Arthur and Mary (Kettering) Fausnacht.  She is the sole remaining survivor of the family being preceded in death by sisters Ruth, Orpha, and Esta as well as three brothers, Mark, Allen, and Arthur.  Sadly two nephews, Lynn and Larry Fausnacht also preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children, Barbara (Terry) Light, Clark (Sherri) Yingst, and Douglas Yingst, as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews all of whom she loved and adored spending time with as their schedules and distances allowed.

Arlene graduated from Hershey High School in 1948 and secured a job as a secretary in the Department of Revenue. She married the love of her life, R. Kenneth Yingst, on October 24, 1948. Together they had three children. Ken owned and operated a weekly auction and farmer’s market and Arlene prepared soups and barbecue for the restaurant for a number of years. She was a stay-at-home mom, which she just loved but sadly lost her husband Ken in 1962 at the age of 30. She persevered and became the secretary to the principal of Palmyra Area High School from 1963-1973. From 1973-1983 she took the job as Secretary to the Director of Admissions at Lebanon Valley College. She then worked as the Administrative Assistant in Admissions at the Milton Hershey School for 15 years and retired from there at age 65 but continued to work part time into her 80’s both in Admissions and at the Founders Hall Visitors Center on weekends. She loved all of these jobs and maintained special friendships through all of them.

Arlene was a long-time member of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren, serving as a Deacon for many years as well as on the Finance Committee and the Mission and Service Committee. She also taught Sunday School. She loved her church and it was a huge source of support to her throughout her life.

As far as community involvement, Arlene served as Secretary of the Palmyra Women’s Club as well as President of Rotary Anns.

The whole family avidly followed the Hershey Bears. She had two brothers who worked part time for the Bears, Arthur, who was a linesman, and Allen a goal judge for many years. Later, her son Doug became the President and General Manager of the Bears which made her so proud. She continued to watch them on TV or listened on the radio when she could no longer go in person.

Arlene especially loved spending time with her family. Holidays were particularly special and all enjoyed her Pennsylvania Dutch dishes. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and followed them in their school sports and concerts as often as possible, traveling a few hours to do so over many decades. She will be greatly missed by grandsons Matthew and Daniel Yingst, Andrew and Jonathan Light, as well as great grandchildren Mackenzie and Zachary Yingst, Caleb and Mason Light, Connor and Aubrey Light, and Grant, Dylan, and Madeline Yingst. They were the highlight of her life.

Arlene enjoyed doing cross stitch, embroidery, and needlepoint and has numerous pictures she did with exquisite handiwork. She also loved to read, especially about history, and devoured word search books which were of an advanced nature. She continued to do the word searches until the very end.

She will be missed dearly by her family and friends. Her best friend since first grade preceded her in death just a few years ago and the loss was almost insurmountable. Her dear friend Carol Hoke took up the role and blessed Arlene as one of the most devoted and caring persons one can imagine. We thank her for her abiding love and for sharing numerous personal conversations of life and faith with Mom. Carol was a source of strength and comfort when we could not be there.

Services will be in the Chapel at Londonderry Village, Palmyra, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 AM, with the funeral at 10:00 AM. A graveside service will follow for family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts honoring her life be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Londonderry Village or the Deacons Fund at the Palmyra Church of the Brethren.

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