Arden Atherton, 80, passed away Monday, March 14, 2011 at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne. Alyce Arden Atherton was born June 11, 1930 in Fort Wayne, IN, to Raymond Staley and Alyce (Westfall) Porter. She graduated from North Side High School, class of 1948. Arden worked as a media specialist with Arlington Elementary School for 34 years and also worked at the Dariy Queen on Maplecrest Road for 8 years. She worked until she was 80 years old, and only quit due to her recent illness. Arden volunteered at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo and made a life-long commitment to children and reading. Surviving are her husband of 53 years, David Atherton; sons, John (Lora Belland) Mastrangeli of Dallas, TX; David Atherton of Yoder, IN daughters, Charlotte (Tony Buckhardt) Heaston of Saint Joe, IN, Mary Atherton of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Mark, Scott and Jill Mastrangeli, Jessica Heaston, Samantha, Dustin, and Eden Buckhardt, Shawn Atherton; nephews, Dan and Mark Staley; dear friend, Jean Lee and her loving dog Tonka. She was preceeded in death by her brother, Paul Staley. Celebration of Life service with a reception following will be Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 11:00 am at Faith Baptist Church, 6600 Trier Road, Rev. Steven Roper officiating with a gathering 1/2 hour prior. A private burial at Lindenwood will be conducted. It is requested that you wear bright color clothes and bring your happy faces along with an upbeat attitude and your favorite memories. In lieu of flowers please bring a copy of your favorite book, including children's books, to the memorial. The books will be donated in Arden's memory to the women's shelter. Arrangements by D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com.