Arne Liechty

Arne W. Liechty, 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, January 28, 2022. He was born August 16, 1935, to Rufus and Thelma (Agler) Liechty. He was married April 30, 1993, to Lori (Neuenschwander) Brigner.
A native of Berne, he was a 1953 graduate of Berne High School and later graduated from Midwestern School of Broadcasting in Chicago, Illinois. He was a disc jockey at WERT in Van Wert, Ohio and WAFX and WOWO in Fort Wayne. He was known to his listeners as “Arne Wayne”.
He served in the Air National Guard of Indiana as a petty officer in the Air Force Reserve. He was called into active duty during the Berlin Wall Crisis and was stationed in France as a fire protection specialist.
Upon his return, he joined his parents in running the family business, Liechty’s Foods, Inc., and he eventually became the sole owner. He retired from that position in 2000 and enjoyed driving semi on a part-time basis for Berne Apparel, Smith Brothers and Lotter Farms.
He was a previous member of Bethel Brethren Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher. He recently became a member of First Missionary Church in Berne. He served on various boards and committees over the years including the Adams County Memorial Hospital Board, South Adams Arts Council and chairman of the Adams County Young Republicans.
As a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds, he enjoyed attending many games during his 34 years as a season ticket holder. He entertained several of the players from The Big Red Machine in his home back in the 1970s when baseball was at its finest. He sponsored the Berne Little League Liechty’s Foods Reds team and also helped with coaching.
He raced midget cars and enjoyed watching NASCAR races. He was enthralled with aviation and maintained his pilot’s license for many years. He was an avid traveler and was involved in numerous theater productions locally and at the Fort Wayne Civic Center.
His memory will be cherished by the family who survives him. He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Lorna Pulido; Heather (Kurt) Dailey; and Holli Brigner, all of Berne; son, Zachary Liechty of Berne; three grandsons, Christopher (Lauren) Collins of Volo, Illinois; Kolton (Sydney) Dailey; and Keegan (Bailey) Dailey, all of Berne; brother-in-law, Don (Pauline) Haines of Bluffton; two nephews, Dan (Robin) Haines of Geneva; and David (Renee) Haines of Portland; and niece, Deanna (David) Rinehart of Markle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earlon; sister, Una Haines; and father and mother-in-law, LeOrace “LeDale” and Elizabeth “Betty” Neuenschwander.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 1 from 2-8 p.m. at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel, Berne and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. funeral service Wednesday, February 2 at First Missionary Church in Berne. Officiating will be Rev. Nathan Patterson and Rev. Rick Schwartz.
Memorials may be made to The Hope Clinic of Berne and Decatur or Freedom Honor Flight.
Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.