Howard “Toley” McArthur, Jr. was born in Damascus, Georgia to the late Howard McArthur, Sr. and the late Mamie Ruth (Peterson) McArthur. He was the oldest of six (6) children born to their union. At the early age of 3 they migrated from Georgia to Pennsylvania and settled in Steelton. He was educated in the Steelton and the Steelton-Highspire School Districts until his Junior year of High School when his family moved to Harrisburg. Then he attended the Harrisburg School District and graduated from the former John Harris High School with the class of 1960. During his school years, he played football and was a track star having earned many medals.

Howard accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at the age of 9 at the Beulah Baptist Church in Steelton, PA, where he spent his life serving God and walking in his will. His service included the Trustee Ministry, Transportation Ministry, Sunday School, Discipleship, Bible Study, Gospel Choir, the Billie June Eichelberger Scholarship Committee and the Culinary Ministry. In October, he was honored with having 71 years of membership at Beulah!

A strong work ethic was instilled in Howard from a young age and one of his first jobs was a local paper route. During his working career, he was a short-order cook at Woolworth's, an employee of TRW and Roadway, Inc., from where he retired with over 40 years of service. After two years of retirement, he decided to return to the workforce as a Capital Area Transit Van Driver.

Howard was married to Janie Mae (Jackson) McArthur and this union was blessed with six children; Mark McArthur, Marcy McArthur-Mitchell, Michael McArthur, Marlin McArthur, Milvin McArthur, and Melinda McArthur. In 1999, he married the Love of his Life, Delores Brown McArthur and remained married until his death.

Toley lived life to the fullest and embraced family connection. He loved attending family reunions, talking to his cousins (Oscar, Elsie, and Charles) on the phone, cruising, skilled games, and cooking. He was an avid food shopper, monitoring and finding the best bargains. Most notably, following in his mother’s footsteps, Toley’s food ministry continued up until his passing; preparing dinners weekly for family, friends and church members.

On Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the age of 80 years, Howard peacefully transitioned from this earthly life into eternal life at UPMC Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with his devoted wife, Delores a.k.a. Brown, at his side. Toley leaves behind a legacy of love and provision for family and generosity towards those he encountered. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Willie “Sonny” McArthur, grandson, Randolph B. Echols II, step-daughter, Sodea A. Brown and brother in-law, Robert McKinney, Jr.

Howard leaves to cherish precious memories of him, his wife, Delores; his four (4) sons, Mark, Michael, Marlin and Milvin McArthur, all of Harrisburg, PA; his three (3) daughters, Lisa Green-Powell (Pete), Marcy McArthur-Mitchell (Myron), both of Harrisburg, PA and Melinda McArthur of Columbus, OH; his two (2) children of the heart, Arnell Hill (Stephanie) and Ranette Hill; his twenty-one (21) grandchildren, Crystal Echols, Nichole Echols, Cherette McArthur, Anthony Powell, all of Harrisburg, PA; Cassandra Mitchell of Atlanta, GA; Sharice Johnson, Shanice Mariluz, Shanell Brown (Lamar), Ashley Carter, Dyllon Miller, all of Harrisburg, PA; Jordan Polk of Salisbury, MD, Sharell Pitts (Doug) of Harrisburg, PA, Marlin Reynolds, Savonna Reynolds of Columbus, OH; Shirley Reynolds, Briana Lane, Rashaun Hill of Harrisburg, PA; Ja-Loni McArthur of Columbus, OH; Mark McArthur of Vauxhall, NJ; Elijah McArthur of Harrisburg, PA and William Jackson of Steubenville, OH; his forty-one (41) great-grandchildren and one (1) great-great grandchild; his two (2) sisters, Mary McKinney and Martha Dean McArthur, both of Harrisburg, PA; his two (2) brothers, Larry McArthur and Randy McArthur, both of Harrisburg, PA; his three (3) brothers in-law, Edward Robinson (Joyce) of Harrisburg, PA, Darryl Murray (Karen) Montecito, CA; Dennis Wallace of Wilmington, DE; his two (2) uncles, Gregory Peterson of Las Vegas, NV and Charles Peterson of Harrisburg, PA; his two (2) aunts, Beverly Piggue of Muskegon, MI and Tammy Peterson of Memphis, TN and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

His life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 20, 2023 in the Sanctuary of his church, Beulah Baptist Church, 100 Livingston Street, Steelton with viewing and visitation from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and burial in William Howard Day Cemetery.