Born August 3, 1928, to Joseph J and Emma (Heinbach) Kramer, he was the second son but third child. His siblings included Calvin C, Josephine, and Robert R. All deceased. Joseph was a WWI Veteran who worked in the tannery and sold eggs door to door in Pottsville. Arlin did the delivery to the door from the wagon and later the car and collected the money.
Arlin graduated from Pine Grove in June of 1946 whereupon he immediately joined the Marines and was sent to Parris Island, SC for Boot Camp. Due to the war winding down, the Marines downsized and Arlin was discharged. He immediately enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Fort Dix, NJ, and then sent on a Liberty Ship to Italy. Arlin served with the 88th Infantry Division, A Company, 526th Armed Infantry Bn. He was awarded the Army of Occupation Metal, WWII Victory Metal, and Rifle M-1 Sharpshooter.
While serving, his unit was under the UN command and he was placed on one of the many bridges guarding the Italian border. He was stationed at Santa Lucia. While there he rescued 6 German prisoners from the Yugoslavs. Since he was the only one who could speak or understand German they became his prisoners until they could be transferred to another location. Once he was transferred to Trieste, 3 more German prisoners escaped. Word had made it through the prison camps that Americans could understand/speak German. Not realizing Arlin was the same one from Santa Lucia, the new prisoners again surrendered to him in Trieste. Arlin saw war during his time at Santa Lucia and was injured during that time. He was running up a hill carrying a mortar when he fell and dropped it on his feet and wrist. He had scars on both feet and his right hand and arm because they wouldn’t take him to a hospital but treated him in the field.
His last 6 months in Italy he served on the Honor Guard for General Mark Clark, who was the Military Governor of Italy until the Italians could reestablish a Government, Clark was a Famous WWII General, this was also the same general who his father had served under.
Understand, that even though WWII was over as far as the Germans were concerned, the official conflict did not end until 1947. That is why Arlin is considered a WWII veteran. He would be referred to as a “Replacement” by actual conflict WWII vets. He was then sent to Ft. Knox and was there 7 months, His job was in the School Troops battalion. They trained Officers to be tankers. Arlin was a Mortarman by MOS. That was not uncommon in those days. Needs of the Army.
Upon leaving the Army at Fort Knox, Ky on March 24, 1948, he returned to Pine Grove where he went to work for Hershey’s Chocolate making Kisses. He helped his father and Uncle Bill compile/write and translate (from the original German) the history of the Kramer Clan. Once published, a copy is now preserved in the Library of Congress. Arlin has also written 2 other books on the History of Pine Grove.
During this time he met Vivian Hess through his Uncle Ben and Aunt Alma. In September 1951 they married. Soon after their marriage he left Hershey and went to work for Alcoa Aluminum in Cressona. They initially lived with Joseph and Emma until the little house, that Joe had converted from a chicken house, was available. They then lived there until they purchased property in Deturksville in 1960. Arlin purchased an Aladdin Home from Montgomery Wards. It arrived by rail into Pine Grove as a complete package right down to the outlet covers. Arlin built a state-of-the-art home ahead of its time from the ground up. The only things he didn’t do were the plaster for the walls and dig the well. It took him 3 years before the family could move in and a couple of years after that until he finished the fireplace.
He raised chicken, ducks and planted an acre garden every year to feed his large family of 5. They also took in foster children first Mike and Ronny, Bucky, and finally Carol and Alice. During this time he was also President of the local Union for Alcoa. He was President for 12 years and worked for Alcoa for 25 years until they closed the plant in Cressona.
Woodworking was his passion and he had a complete shop full of tools. During his later years he refurbished carousel horses, made life-sized statues of animals, wagons and carved smaller pieces which were then sold at art shows. His passion for wood has been passed on to many of his children and grandchildren.
During his retirement, Arlin taught classes for Penn State University on Labor Relations and taught nurses how to force their unions to work for them. He also helped write the OSHA laws and was the lobbyist who convinced Arlen Specter to vote for the law which was the vote that caused the bill to be passed. Arlin’s name is attached to the OSHA bill. During the boat rescue of the Vietnamese people in the 70s, they were being housed at Fort Indiantown Gap. Arlin volunteered to teach them English. He spent many days and even months teaching different groups English.
Arlin was a lifelong member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Sons of Union Soldiers of the Civil War. He was also the Captain of the Honor Guard for many years taking good care of our veterans burial services. He is also the reason there is a tank sitting in Union Canal Veterans Memorial Park in Pine Grove.
Arlin has left behind a huge family. Elaine 1952 (deceased) the oldest has 3 children: Alaina, Mike, and Angelique with 6 great grandchildren. Vanda 1954 has 3 children: Megan, Shannon, and Chelsea. Colleen 1957 has no children but does claim her four-legged kids. Arlin, Jr 1959, wife Glory (Grady) have 4 children: Chris, Eve (deceased), Amy, Tera, 13 great-grandchildren with 3 great-great-grandchildren. Pamela 1960, has one child: Samantha. Carol 1971, husband Errol Pheffer, has 2 children: DJ and Kirstyn with 3 great-grandchildren (one deceased). Alice 1972, has 5 children: Alexis, Blake, Cole, Daeson, and Trayten with one great-grandchild.
Surviving also is Calvin’s son Donald and daughter Bonnie (husband Steve Wylan). Robert Sr’s son Robert Jr, wife Michelle (Smith), 2 children Stacy and Patricia. Also Michael, wife Stephanie, 4 children: Michael, Kristin, Emily and Sara
Arlin comes from a big family and was loved by many. Arlin passed on March 10, 2022 at the William B Courtney Veterans Home due to pneumonia and a collapsed lung. His daughter, Pamela, was right by his side as he drew his last breath. He was honored by the veterans with a final salute as he was taken from the home.
For the funeral, Arlin requested no one wear black but dress in bright colors to celebrate his life. Services will be held Thursday, March 17, 2022. Viewing is from 12-1 at the Jonestown Bible Church. Service will be at 1. At 2:30 the burial will take place at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with a meal to be provided by Jonestown Bible Church immediately following at 3:15. Pastor Catani will be officiating the service.
