Arnold Edward Ypparila, 85, of Muncie, went to be with his Lord, on Saturday April 25th, 2015 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, with his family by his side. He was born November 27th, 1929 in Newell, South Dakota, and was the youngest child of five of the late August & Erika (Isto) Ypparila.
Arnie graduated from South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, SD as an electrical engineer. Upon graduating, he was hired by Westinghouse Electric, and moved to Sharon, PA where he worked until moving to Muncie to work at the new Westinghouse Plant. He later was transferred to Pittsburgh, moving back to Muncie in 1999 to the Westinghouse/ABB plant until his retirement. Arnie was a life time Lutheran following the tradition of his Finnish Heritage. He had been a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church while living in Muncie, and a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Mars, PA, where he served on the church council at both churches.
Arnie is survived by his wife of 30 years Eileen (Brown-Todd) Ypparila of Muncie; three children Ken Ypparila (Gail) of Thousand Oaks, CA, Donna Shields of Yorktown, and Laurie Parsons (Darrell) of Muncie; a step-son Phil Todd of Muncie; five grandchildren, Tim Shields, Erini Shields, Gemma Ypparila, Lleyton Parsons, and Lauren Todd; three great-grandchildren, Gracie, Arden, Ainsley Shields, his first wife Magdalene Ypparila of Muncie; several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters; and his step-son Mike Todd.
Funeral Services for Arnie will be held Thursday, April 30th, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Garden View Funeral Home, with Pastors James Hilleson and Tim Overton officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, American Diabetes Association, or the charity of the donor''s choice.