Irvin Armstrong

Irvin (“Irvy” “Butch”) Armstrong, 74, of Blandon, passed away on December 16, 2021, at St. Joseph Medical Center. He was the loving husband of Nancy (Kemp) Armstrong with whom he would have shared 56 years of marriage on January 29th. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on a 2 week land/cruise trip to Alaska with his daughter, son-in-law, and both of his granddaughters. Born in Reading and grew up in Alsace Township, Irvin was a son of the late Rodman and Charlotte Heffelfinger.

Irvin was a Vietnam Veteran who proudly served in the US Marine Corps.  He was honorably discharged as a Corporal in May of 1968.  Irvin worked at Conrail in Reading repairing train cars, as a truck driver for Red Star Express, and then for USF Holland until retirement. He was a lifetime member of The Ivy Leaf Association and Lower Alsace Beneficial Association, a member at the social quarters of the Oley Fire Company, Blandon Fire Company, Lyons Fire Company, Northmont Fellowship Association, and The American Legion. He was also a member of Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society.

Irvin enjoyed trains, western movies, oldies music, sprint cars and Nascar racing, Penn State football, meeting up with his buddies for breakfast, going to car shows, working on his 1969 Torino, playing cards with family, and arguing with friends and family about politics (he was always right). He played on local softball teams when younger and also for a few years on a mens senior league. Irvin loved spending as much time as possible with his granddaughters who called him Gramps, attending all their school events and extracurricular activities. He enjoyed watching them cheer, play softball & field hockey, and gymnastics. “Practice, practice, practice.” He constantly gave them playing tips and made them take care of their equipment, and loved taking them for ice cream after their games.  He would ask what they learned in school each day and rewarded them for each good report card.  He knew how to fix anything and everything, and if he didn’t know how, he wouldn’t quit until he figured it out, and wanted to share his knowledge with all of us. He was the one everyone called when they needed help with anything and he would always try to do anything he could to help.

He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.  He was a protector, a guiding hand, a best friend, a hero. His memory will forever carry on, and his guiding hand on our shoulders will remain with us forever.  To our Husband, Brother, Uncle, and best Dad and Gramps ever - we will do our best to continue to make you proud and will never forget all the great things you taught us.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Tara Armstrong, wife of Eddie Chandrapong; granddaughters Chyler and Aubrey (all of Easton, PA); his brother James Heffelfinger (Columbia, SC); and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son Paul Irvin Armstrong and his brother Rodman Heffelfinger.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Celebration of Life on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Bean Funeral Home, 1605 Rockland Street, Reading. The Memorial Service will follow visitation. In lieu of flowers, contributions dedicated to Irvin’s memory can be made to Vietnam Veterans of America vva.org/donate.  Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com