The Life of LESTER DALE ARNOLD
Les Arnold, 90, passed away on April 12, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 at Union Park Baptist Church, 821 Arthur Avenue, Des Moines with interment following at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 16 at Merle Hay Funeral Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines.
Les was born on March 18, 1920 in Allerton, Iowa to Charles and Vada Arnold. He served in the US Army during WWII. He retired as a production manager from Firestone Tires after 37 years. He was a 15-year volunteer at the Living History Farms. Les served as a deacon, trustee, financial secretary and an all-around handyman as a member of the Union Park Baptist Church for over 60 years.
He will be missed by his loving wife of 18 years, Rowena; children, Joyce (Bill) Hamlet; Janice Torbert, Judy Arnold, Cheryl (Michael) Giudicessi, Richard (Betty) Johnson, Sally Hansen; step-children, Joellyn (Joe) Schnurr and Jonathan (Stephanie) Beck; 26 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four step-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Vada; brother, Stanley; wife, Lucile; and a granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan's Purse or the Union Park Baptist Church.