Arden (Ardie) McElwain Emery

Ardie Emery, a Wilmington resident for over 61 years, passed away on Monday at the age of 86. Born in Washington, PA, Ardie was the youngest of three sons of the late Dr. Raymen Emery, MD and Elsie (McElwain) Emery. Married for over 59 years, his loving wife Mary Lou predeceased him in 2020. He is survived by his son, David (Karen) and daughter, Linda Manson (Dean), along with 4 deeply loved grandchildren: Michael (Amanda) Emery, Katie Emery, and Grace and Sarah Manson. He is survived by his sisters-in-law Jan Emery and Laurie Wilcox as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his brothers Ray and Bill Emery and sister-in-law Claire Emery.

A student of Mechanical Engineering, Ardie obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lehigh University in 1961 and 1963, respectively. While at Lehigh, Ardie met Mary Lou Wilcox and the couple married in 1961, moving to Wilmington, DE in 1963 where Ardie began his 35-year career with the DuPont Company’s Textile Fibers Department. Throughout his tenure, Ardie held many roles focusing on market development and especially loved introducing new applications for different textile technologies. Among other things, he helped introduce DuPont’s Typar to the carpet industry, Dacron to the menswear fabric industry, and disposable Lycra to the diaper industry– earning him DuPont’s Marketing Excellence award. These roles kept Ardie traveling frequently, often with Mary Lou.

Ardie loved spending time with his family, taking them on many summer vacations and of course the Jersey Shore. He was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan, rarely missing a Pirates or Steelers game “on the tube”. He also enjoyed golfing, gardening and managing his Ocean City rental property. Perhaps his biggest love after his family was his alma mater, Lehigh University, and in particular, The Chi Phi Fraternity. Ardie remained very active with Chi Phi throughout his life, serving on the Briarfield Association (the Alumni Association of the Psi Chapter of Chi Phi), and as its President in the late 1990’s, receiving the Rogers Lifetime Service Award in 2014, and being named a Trustee Emeritus.

Ardie and Mary Lou moved to the Country House in Greenville, DE in 2017. Ardie reconnected with and made many new friends at the Country House and always enjoyed introducing his family to his friends. One dear friend he made after Mary Lou’s passing was Joan. Joan quickly became a very important part of his life and a loved friend of the family.

Send a Condolence Light a Candle Send Flowers Print Out Obituary

Funeral Services

There will be a viewing at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, on Friday, February 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a private burial. On Saturday, February 8, there will be memorial service in the chapel at the Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Lehigh University’s Chi Phi Fraternity (via: give.lu/emery ), or to the Briarfield Association (send check to Briarfield Association c/o Alan Abels, 157 Jordan Rd, Brick, NJ 08724-3959).

Condolences

MRS LINDA MANSON lit a candle and writes,

What a wonderful, caring, fun, and present dad you were. You lived your life with unflinching honesty and integrity. Thank you for so many special memories growing up. Love, Lin

01/30/2025 04:46 pm

Pamela Emery lit a candle and writes,

Bill and I have fond memories of Uncle Ardie. He always had a smile, a joke or funny story to share. His kindness and love of family was always present and evident as a focus in his life. We are grateful to have him in our lives.

01/30/2025 06:01 pm

Tim and Lisette Riffe lit a candle and writes,

Linda and Dean, we send our deepest condolences during this time. Tim fondly remembers Ardie from the Nats Pirates game a few years ago. May God bless you during this time.

01/30/2025 06:36 pm

Britt and Sean Fleming writes,

Linda and Dean, you are in our thoughts and we send our deepest condolences to you and your family. We so enjoyed meeting your dad at your home and at the beach. He was a truly wonderful man and will be greatly missed.

01/31/2025 10:08 am

Sue lit a candle and writes,

I’m sorry for your loss, please be strong Love to all of your family Sue

02/01/2025 11:06 am

Sarah Digel Oakum lit a candle and writes,

So saddening to hear this. Your Dad and Mom were like second parents to me growing up. So glad that they moved on to Valley “Road”. So much in common-Lehigh! DuPont! Awesome daughters! I have lots of fond memories of your Dad and I know you will miss him dearly. He is at peace now, no words can help the hurt you feel but try to remember all of the good times. Love, Sarah

02/01/2025 11:21 am

Skip Ulmer writes,

I was honored to be the team leader of Arnie’s Lycra XA team in the late 1980’s. Ardie combined professionalism, intelligence, customer service with an incredible sense of humor. To this day I still quote some of his “ Ardieisms”. I will always have great memories of a great person.

02/01/2025 04:01 pm

Clint & Christie Christian writes,

Ardie , I must say, was one of my dearest friends, Despite the fact that we did not get a chance to see each other in recent years, I feel we kept close. Ardie always had a smile, always treated everyone with dignity, was a hell of a salesman, was one of the most principled people I have ever met, he led by example, he threw many a great party, he taught me that “family was everything”. I could go on and on. Our condolences to Ardie’s family!! You are in our thoughts and in our prayers.

02/01/2025 04:19 pm

Lisa Larson lit a candle and writes,

My dad was a fellow Lehigh Engineer so Arden and Mary Lou enthusiastically "adopted" me when I was in school with Linda. Arden always brought a wicked and quick sense of humor and so much positive energy - he lit up every room. He always had a laugh and a great story to share and he was unfailingly supportive. How lucky I was to know him. Linda and family, may Ardens memory be a blessing to y'all - sending love ❤️

02/01/2025 07:11 pm

ELWOOD PENN lit a candle and writes,

R I P OLD FRIEND

02/02/2025 01:14 pm

George and Jan Penn writes,

Dear Linda, David and Families, Jan and I and our family would like to offer our condolences on the passing of Ardie. Having grown up with him and his brother Bill in the 50s and 60s, I have many memories of exceptional adventures, including the Xmas tree burning, that we had together. We were able to get together on several occasions later in life, and it was just like old times, and we had great phone conversations right up to the end. Remembering that this event is an expected consequence of life doesn’t make it any more bearable. Jan would like to add that though she didn’t have a history with Ardie or Mary Lou, her time spent with them quickly made them two of her favorite people, due to their warmth and humor. Goodbye to my dear friend.

02/02/2025 01:34 pm

Kim Lynch lit a candle and writes,

I will miss the rides to the beach and the talks we had on the way down. I enjoyed your family. You always made me feel part of. I will miss you

02/02/2025 06:48 pm

Judy L. Strohmaier writes,

I worked as a secretary (pre-Administrative Assistant title days) with Ardie in the mid ‘70’s in his “Dacron” Products Analyst days. It was a hectic division, always transferring guys in & out to give them experience throughout the Company - Ardie and Keith Anzilotti were two favorites. A “lighthearted” memory: At the end of the day one Friday, Ardie thought it would be funny to “surprise” me by tapping me on the back as I was talking to another co-worker. Unfortunately for Ardie, he was the one who got “surprised” as I screamed and everyone in the suite came running. Ultimately, we all got a good laugh at his expense. I enjoyed visiting with Ardie and Mary Lou at the Textile Fibers “Retiree” Christmas luncheons at the Country Club. My sincerest sympathies to your entire family. Judy Lindsey Strohmaier

02/03/2025 06:37 am

Roger Plourde lit a candle and writes,

What a nice guy! An ardent example of how a man should live his life.

02/03/2025 06:57 am

John Boliek writes,

I knew Ardie for years as an associate at DuPont and as a friend. After retiring we both looked forward to attending a monthly textile fibers lunch group and reminiscing about the old days. Ardie would often bring a retiree who could no longer drive. That's the kind of guy he was. And after Ardie himself could no longer drive, we made sure that he too had a ride. We'll miss him big time ...especially his quick wit and humor!

02/03/2025 08:37 pm

Peter Szanto lit a candle and writes,

I first crossed paths with Ardie in the early '80s and then again almost twenty years later when we both worked in Lycra. However, I did not get to appreciate his personality especially his sense of humor until we met again at the monthly retiree lunches. May your memory be a blessing to all who knew you.

02/06/2025 10:51 am

Cancel reply

Thank You

Your online condolence will appear once approved by our site administrator.