Obituary of Arthur H. Pedley

Mr. Arthur Hollister Pedley, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Mountain Valley Hospice House in Gloversville after a short illness. He resided for over 60 years on Abeling Street in Canajoharie. Born on June 17, 1925 in Franklin, PA, he was the son of Clarence Hollister Pedley and Edna Knight Pedley. He was trained as a fighter pilot in the USAAF during World War II. Arthur earned an MA in Math Education from SUNY Albany. Mr. Pedley was a Canajoharie High School Math Teacher from 1951-1980. He was the instrumental force behind the installation of the 1st computer in the high school. He taught generations of students who remember his avid motivation for their academic excellence: "You get out of your dinner pail just what you pack in it." He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he once served as treasurer. A licensed radio operator, he also volunteered many hours assisting with the computerization of the Canajoharie Library. He was a member of the Golden Ages, Senior Citizens Club and was a director of Community Adult Education. On August 24, 1946 in Webster, MA, Arthur was married to Anna Louise Koebke. Together they celebrated 65 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on August 28, 2011. They often could be seen taking walks together, hand in hand, all over East Hill. He was also predeceased by his brother, George Lester Pedley. Mr. Pedley is survived by his 2 daughters, Holly P. Reynolds and Kenneth of Bloomington, MN, Deborah McArdle and Jack of Boston, MA; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 7, 2013 at 10:00am St. John's & St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Church Street, Canajoharie, NY with Rev. Zachary Labagh officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY. Contributions in memory of Mr. Arthur H. Pedley may be made to St. John's & St. Mark's Lutheran Church, PO Box 275, Canajoharie, NY 13317 or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078 or the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery, 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie, NY 13317.