Lifelong Slatington resident and pillar of the community Arthur "Ted" Kistler passed away Sunday after a valiant battle with cancer.

"Everything he ever did is really good for our community," said George J. Kutta III, Slatington Lions board member and past president."It's a shock to everyone how fast he went," Kutta said."He taught all the guys who came after him how Lions Club should be run. He's going to be missed in our community. He was a great guy," he said.Born in 1942, Kistler only left the borough during his five-year Army service when he was stationed in Germany. He was the youngest soldier of his battalion to reach the rank of staff sergeant. When he returned to the borough, Kistler spent 28 years in the position of police chief, the longest-serving chief in the borough's history.Kistler was an active member of the Slatington Lions Club, American Legion Post 16 serving on the board of directors. He was a member of the Walnutport VFW, the Slatington Skeet Club, and had been serving as president of the Northern Lehigh Historical Society."He was a heck of a guy. He sponsored me for the Lions," said Slatington Mayor Walter Neidermeyer."He did more for the community then anyone else I can name. He was instrumental for a lot of things in this town. He did a lot and could always be counted on for help. He was always involved somewhere," he said."It's a shame and I hate to see him go. He was always working for the community," Neidermeyer said."What a horrible loss for all of us. Every town should have a chief like him," borough secretary Duane Dellecker said."He was involved in everything. He had his heart in this community. He was just a great guy, always thinking in the positive direction. It's such a tremendous loss," Dellecker said.In June the borough dedicated a plaque to Kistler for all the work he conducted in the borough. Former co-workers and friends spoke at the dedication, commending Kistler for his lifelong service to the town."I had the privilege to work with Chief Kistler. He was a likable member of the community," said former Slatington Mayor Tim Kern."He was involved, and got involved for heartfelt reasons," Kern said.During his speech, Kistler spoke of his love of Slatington."I was born and raised here and I get disturbed when people disparage the town," he said."I disagree with the way attendees in borough meetings have negative attitudes, especially against council. If they don't understand the workings (of the borough), they shouldn't be so negative. Why not come with positive ideas," he said.Services will be held at 1 p.m., on Friday at the Harding Funeral Home, 25-27 N. Second St., Slatington. Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment with military honors to follow at Union Cemetery in Slatington. A townwide celebration will be held after services at the Slatington Skeet Club."There's going to be a line out the door at the community celebration," Neidermeyer said.Kistler is survived by wife Linda and sons Ted and Jeffrey, as well as several grandchildren.