Van Robert Arvin

Van Robert Arvin peacefully passed away the morning of Thursday, February 15, 2024, at his home in Scottsville, Kentucky.

Van was born August 8, 1949, in York, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Charles and Jean Arvin. On September 4, 1988, Van married his best friend, business partner and loving wife Dana Neil, who survives at home.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by his only child, son Cole Neil Arvin and his wife, Stacy Arvin of Scottsville, KY, his sister Vickie Arvin Pensinger and her husband, Bob, niece Christy & her family, all of Chambersburg, PA.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Jane Neil Orelli and her husband Rusty, niece Tiffany Grant and her husband, Paul, great nephews Kingsley and Princeton Grant, nephew Austin Neil Orelli, nephew Vincent Orelli, his wife Shelby and children, Nash & Norah, niece Camille Seeling and her husband Daniel, all of Williamsport, PA, sister-in-law Lori Neil Keffer, of Springfield, VA, and his dear friend Lynn Hartzfeld, wife Anne and family, of Hershey, PA. Also his extended family and many friends around the world, especially those from State College, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Jean Arvin; his in-laws, Ernest and Emma Neil; and his brother-in-law, Robert C Keffer.

Van is a 1967 graduate of York Central High School in York, PA. He's a Penn State Alumni and member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He studied history and was an avid reader. Van served in the US Army and became a Language Specialist/Translator, fluent in English, French and Vietnamese, at the US Army Headquarters South Vietnam in Long Binh.

He was a proud member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The Benevolent and Protective Order of The Elks. He won the 2013 Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award, was a two-time Elk of the Year and Elks Hoop Shoot Director, serving the State College & Penns Valley school districts for 15 years. He was raised in Zion Lutheran Church in York, PA, and attended St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College, PA, for over 35 years. Upon retirement he attended Scottsville First UMC. His faith in God was extremely important to him and he felt very strongly about community service.

Van owned and operated T's Custom Printing in Downtown State College and Boalsburg for 38 years. He was a Sports Tour Director for Centre For Travel, escorting Penn State Football and Men's & Women's Basketball to many bowl games and holiday tournaments. He served as an Officer on the Board of Directors for The Rathskeller Brewing Co, Inc. He never hesitated to volunteer for various veterans groups. He hosted the Dalevue/Centre Hills Neighborhood Family Memorial Day Parade throughout the 90's and early 2000's where he'd collect books and board games for the area's veterans hospitals. Before moving away from State College, he donated 40 cases of books from his extensive library to the Veterans Hospital. He worked with many charities and organizations including The Wildlife of Autism Foundation, Special Olympics, State College Little League and the Red Ribbon AIDS Walk. He loved coaching his son's youth basketball and baseball teams. He lived to help his family, friends and neighbors. One week before he passed, he served dinner for the Allen County-Scottsville High School Boys Basketball team that his son coaches, as well as the ACS Girls Basketball team, for Scottsville First United Methodist Church. The day before he passed, he drove his Scottsville Transit city bus route one last time. Van will be remembered for his quiet humility, his old music and movie trivia knowledge, his love of reading, but mostly for the love he had for his family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 25, at T. W. Crow & Son Funeral Home (201 North Court Street, Scottsville, KY 42164) from 1-5 PM CST. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 2 PM at Scottsville First United Methodist Church (400 East Main Street, Scottsville, KY 42164) at 2PM CST. The funeral service on 2/27 will be live streamed for those at home.  The service program and links are below under videos and programs.

 Donation Suggestions:

• The Wildlife of Autism Foundation
  • c/o Tiffany Grant. 1248 Crestfield Drive Williamsport, PA 17701
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• Scottsville First UMC Food Pantry
  • 400 East Main Street, Scottsville, KY 42164
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• A local veteran organization of your choice