Charlie Dean Arnold, age 89, passed away at Skaalen Magnolia Gardens on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Charlie was born March 9, 1936, in Janesville, Wis., the son of Charles Albert Arnold and Eva Jane Farberg. He was a 1954 graduate of Whitewater High School.
Charlie served in the Navy aboard the USS Forrestal for two years and for four years in the Reserves. He was honorably discharged from the military in March of 1962. In 1958, he married Anne Elizabeth Miller, of Evansville. They had two sons and remained together until her passing in 2000. Charlie worked for many years in Evansville at Varco Pruden, now Blue Scope. He began as a welder, transitioned to project estimator, and later to sales and project manager for several contractors. Charlie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his motorcycles. Charlie was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Evansville.
Charlie is survived by his sons, Jeff Arnold (Aimee), of Cottage Grove, and Mark Arnold (Terri), of Fitchburg; sister, Cindy McCully, of Algonquin, Ill.; grandchildren, Evan, of Madison, and Mallory, of Evansville; nephew, Nathan Zierer (Sara), of St. Louis, MO; great-grandson, Dayton, of Evansville; and longtime companion, Mary Peterson of Stoughton.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Anne.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home, Evansville. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery with Military Honors performed by VFW Post 6905.
Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home, Evansville, is assisting the family.
For online condolences please visit www.wardhurtley.com.