Arlene L. (Houtz) Reed

Arlene Lorraine (Houtz) Reed, age 92, of Frey Village, Middletown and formerly of Chambers Hill, Swatara Township, passed away on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at her home.

She was born on May 16, 1929 in Oberlin, PA, the daughter of Roy and Pearl (Foltz) Houtz.

Arlene was a graduate of Swatara Township High School Class of 1947.  After graduation, she worked as a secretary in the Bethlehem Steel Co. Steelton Office for four years before moving with her husband to Dayton, Ohio where she worked at Wright-Patterson AFB for about two years before becoming a "stay-at-home mom".

Arlene is survived by her husband (and high school classmate), William “Skip” Reed, whom she married in June of 1951; their daughter Sharon Reed and husband Dr. Mark Horney of Eugene, Oregon; son Dr. Randall R. Reed and wife Pat (Strader) Reed of Baltimore, MD, and their daughter (Arlene's granddaughter) Jackie Reed of Salt Lake City, Utah. Arlene was pre-deceased by her parents and brother Kenneth Houtz.

Arlene was very active in her church, Girl and Boy Scouts, and other organizations. She enjoyed traveling. She traveled extensively with her husband during their active years visiting all 50 states, many in their motor-home.  His job helped them to travel around Europe, and they took cruises in the Caribbean. Arlene's final foreign “bucket list” trip, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, was to the Taj Mahal, Agra, India.  Wanting to see the ocean, she celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary in June 2021 with her family at Chincoteague, Virginia.

She was also a great "keep-in-touch" communicator, including the sending of over 200 Christmas cards per year to friends and relatives in the states and overseas.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 21, 2021 preceded by a viewing beginning at 1:00 PM at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1152-R Main Street, Oberlin. Interment will be at Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin, PA immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to her church: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1152-R Main Street, Oberlin-Steelton, Pa., 17113.  

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