Arlen E. Schwerin

Arlen E. Schwerin

Arlen E. Schwerin, 74, of Tallahassee, Florida and formerly Sumner, died Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Consulate Health Care in Tallahassee, Florida from complications of exposure to Agent Orange during military service in Vietnam.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church-Spring Fountain of rural Sumner with Rev. George Volkert officiating. Interment will be at Lutheran Cemetery of Sumner Township with military rites by Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner. There will be a visitation for one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Memorials may be made in his name to University Lutheran Church, 925 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304.

Arlen Ernest, son of Lester and Bertha (Buhr) Schwerin, was born January 24, 1941, at the family farm home, rural Sumner, Iowa. He was baptized February of 1941, and confirmed April 3, 1955, at St. John Lutheran Church-Spring Fountain. He received his education at #4 Sumner Rural School and graduated from Sumner High School in May of 1959. He served as president of the Sumner FFA Chapter under Mr. Scott while at Sumner High School, and sang for many weddings in the fifties and sixties. Arlen served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam from January of 1967 to November of 1968. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly and Iowa State University in Ames, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering Degree. He was a member of Beta Sigma Psi, Lutheran Fraternity and served as rush chairman in the sixties. Arlen was united in marriage with Gail Strovers in 1975, at the Lutheran Church in Newton, Iowa. They would later divorce. He was an engineer for the U.S. Army Weapons Command at Ft. Monmouth, N.J. from 1975 until retiring in January of 2002. He was a current member of University Lutheran Church, Tallahassee, FL, the Capital Chordsmen, Tallahassee Republican Club, and served as president of the Tallahassee Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.

Arlen is survived by two children, Jay (Kate) Schwerin of California and Erica (Jason) Schwerin Walsh of New Jersey; two grandchildren, Jacob and Hayley Walsh; and one sister, Elaine (John) Schwerin Willers of North Carolina.

Arlen was preceded in death by his parents.

elaine schwerin willers on September 28, 2015 at 7:09 PM said:

Thanks to each of you here who commented! Very special to read each of your comments!

Frank Broen on September 25, 2015 at 9:10 AM said:

We will miss Arlen at the Capital Chorsdmen Barbershop Chorus. His spirit and dedication were inspirational. I will miss his stories that he shared when we took him home after our weekly chapter meetings. As we sing in Irish Blessing... "and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand"

Ken Puck on September 24, 2015 at 8:59 AM said:

I remember Arlen as a fellow pledge and fraternity brother at Beta Sigma Psi. I will always remember his soft-spoken wit and willing support. God-speed Arlen.

elfie mowell on September 22, 2015 at 8:53 PM said:

A greater friend I could have never found.
I shall remember you always.
thank you for being in my life and knowing you.
We will meet again one day. .
your German friend Elfie5n5

Bonnie Hennings Johnston on September 22, 2015 at 8:37 AM said:

Elaine--Sorry for your loss. I was planning to attend the services but have came down with a cold so will not see you. I do have some pictures from your dad's side, I believe. I am in need of help with names to go with the pictures. A cousin of your dad in Illinois sent them to me. Your second cousin, Bonnie

Dennis Hasenwinkel on September 21, 2015 at 7:41 PM said:

Our sympathies to his survivors. As a kind and quiet Beta Sig, he was the best. God' Blessings!

Dick Scar on September 21, 2015 at 8:32 AM said:

I was a fraternity brother and also graduated with a degree in Aero E. Arlen was fun to be around and I enjoyed seeing him at a fraternity reunion in 2012.

Ken Buhr on September 20, 2015 at 4:04 PM said:

I knew Arlen during his Beta Sigma Psi days at Iowa State. He always touted his mother's maiden name (Buhr) with me. He was always good with a great laugh, from the time he said his car lost its steering wheel. Go in peace, good friend Arlen.

john w dierks on September 19, 2015 at 1:31 PM said:

vaya con Dios mi amigo, go with god my friend, we had a ton of great memories together. will love you forever.

Bill Bess on September 18, 2015 at 1:56 PM said:

I knew Arlen through barbershop singing with the Capital Chorsdmen in Tallahassee. He was a fun to be around guy with a quick wit. He was also a pretty good singer. I will miss his face and sound.

Bill Bess on September 18, 2015 at 1:56 PM said:

I knew Arlen through barbershop singing with the Capital Chorsdmen in Tallahassee. He was a fun to be around guy with a quick wit. He was also a pretty good singer. I will miss his face and sound.

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