Gary Arnold
THOMSON, Ill. — Gary Lee Arnold, Sr., 63, of Thomson, Ill., died suddenly Sept. 1, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, at the York Community Congregational Church, Thomson, with the Rev. Ruth Lyons officiating. Burial will take place in Lower York Cemetery, Thomson. A visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson. A memorial fund has been established in Gary’s memory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.
Gary was born May 9, 1950, the son of Earl and Theresa (Vroman) Arnold in Moline. He attended Moline High School and graduated with the Class of 1968. After graduation, Gary enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served his country for four years as a Machinist Mate aboard the U.S.S. Sea Devil submarine. He married Sherry Lipe on May 13, 1968, and later married Edna Arnold on Sept. 27, 1978.
Gary worked in maintenance for 15 years at Carlon in Clinton and for an additional 13 years at Custom Pak, Clinton, before starting Arnold’s Bikes in 1999. Gary began Arnold’s Bikes out of his home garage, where he sold and repaired bicycles. Gary moved his bike shop to Main Street in Savanna, Ill., in March 2001 and later moved his shop to Main Street in Thomson in 2007. He loved everything about bicycles, especially riding his recumbent bicycles. He enjoyed listening to music, playing his guitar and singing to his children. He also enjoyed watching martial arts movies and spending time with his family and friends.
Gary will be dearly missed by three sons, Jeff (Robin) Melvin of Mokena, Ill., Marty Melvin of Freeport, Ill., and Gary Arnold, Jr. of Thomson; four daughters, Nicole (Rick Hartley) Smith of Mount Carroll, Ill., Teri (Mike Schnitzler) Legel of Mount Carroll, Brandy (Mike Childers) Arnold of Savanna, and Amanda Wolfe of Fulton, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one “adopted daughter,” Amber Johnston of Mount Carroll; four brothers, Danny (Mary) Langfeldt of Seattle, Doug (Vicki) Langfeldt of Bettendorf, Tim Langfeldt of the Quad-Cities and Mike Langfeldt of Arizona; and three aunts, Chris, Veronica and Joanne. Gary was preceded in death by his parents.
Obituary from QCTimes.com