Russell “Bud” Arnold, 89, of Crawfordsville passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Franciscan Health of Lafayette.
Bud was active volunteering in the community. He was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal, Kiwanis, FISH Food Pantry and served as a CASA. He was a 50-year life member of the Masonic Lodge. He liked playing golf and attending gatherings of the Do-Nothing Club. He loved his family and was very proud of them.
He graduated from Southport High School, class of 1953. He served in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1959. He graduated from Purdue University and earned a master’s degree from Indiana Central. He worked as a mechanical engineer at several places, including Indiana Bell, Firestone, Harman Motive, IMPEX, Hi-Tek and did consulting work. He also owned or co-owned three businesses, C’ville Docs, Metal Forming in Russellville and D & B Tool in Thorntown.
Born Nov. 26, 1934, at Indianapolis, he was the son of Lloyd Arnold and Martha Arnold. His mother died when he was young and his step-mother, Floreine, helped raise him. Bud married Anita Graber on June 19, 1960. She survives.
Surviving family includes: wife Anita Arnold; two daughters, Darlisa (Randy) Steele and Cheryl Arnold; three grandchildren, Nicole “Nikki” Williams, Clayton and Weston Steele; two great-grandchildren, Coleton and Emily Roche; three great-great-grandchildren, Marshall, Andrew and Aira; sister Vera (Tom) Aping; and step-brother Jerry (Linda) Redenbarger.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Viola (Robert) Todd and Linda (Sonny) White.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Services will begin at 1 p.m. Bud will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery North in a private family burial. Immediately after the service refreshments will be served at Whitlock Hall
Donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal, 212 S. Green St., Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.
