Guy R. McCardle, 102, of Lewistown, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at home.

Born July 23, 1922, in Burnham, he was the son of the late Charles Ivan ‘Ike’ McCardle and Catherine (Cleck) McCardle.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Catherine ‘Cathy’ McCardle; and a brother, Edward McCardle.

He is survived by his loving wife of 82 years, Irene R. (Lindenberger) McCardle, whom he married December 26, 1942 in Winchester, Virginia; children, Guy D. ‘Gyke’  McCardle and wife, Marjorie, of Burnham, Peggy D. McCardle and husband, Michael O’Mara, of Florida, Harvard K. McCardle and wife, Genevieve, of Lewistown; many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joyce Rodenbaugh.

He was a member of Burnham Church of the Brethren and attended First United Methodist Church.

Guy was a 1940 graduate of Burnham High School and a graduate of Aero ITI Technical School in CA. After working in various aircraft factories, and supervising the construction of B14 wings, he joined the 8th Army Air Corps. He served as a gunner on B17s out of Debach Airfield in England.

 He flew 25 missions during WWII, earning an Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters. He was 22 when he became a corporal in the US 8th Army Air Force. On his first mission, his plane was downed in France. Throughout his missions flying with his crew, he was promoted to Sergeant, then Staff Sergeant when they were halfway through with their missions. Sgt. McCardle’s last mission was April, 1945. His last mission was to open the port of Bordeau in France which was part of the completion of the liberation of France, earning him the French Legion of Honor Award. After that, he was part of group that flew ‘chow hound’ mission, dropping food and supplies in the Netherlands.

Guy was an entrepreneur who started thearea’s first soft-serve ice cream business, the Dairy Belle, which he and wife Irene ran together for 15 years. After that he established and was head of McCardle Motors, a Lincoln, Mercury and Saab dealership for 33 years, along with his wife, Irene, who was part of running the businesses by his side, and his sons who also came into the business.

Cars (both selling and driving them) and airplanes were his main passion, from building model airplanes as a teenager to learning to fly light planes. He is a past president of the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter.  He and his wife enjoyed traveling the US in a motor home and wintering in Florida for 30 years.

A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to Noon, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Home, 108 First Ave., Burnham, with a funeral service to follow at Noon, with Reverend Karen McCachren officiating.

Interment will take place at Mount Rock Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Juniata County Veterans Council.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Guy’s memory to UPMC Family Hospice, 20 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA 16601.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstinefuneralhome.com.