HENRY KEITH ARNOLD

HENRY KEITH ARNOLD, 98, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at The Harbours. Born Sept. 16, 1917, in Fort Wayne, he graduated from North Side High School and Purdue University. With his passing, the greatest generation lost a charter member and the last survivor of eight children in his own family. During World War II, he served our nation for three years in North Africa. When he returned, he waited just two days to marry his fiance, Constance Lorene Quinn, the love of his life for the next 64 years. Connie followed Keith to Purdue where he studied engineering and she started a family while living in campus Quonsot Huts. All thanks to the G. I. Bill. Keith loved the challenges of his work as the "gear expert" at Navistar. Keith was also a great reader, devouring a lifetime of the Journal Gazette and Time magazines literally cover to cover on almost a century of current events. But raising a family of five children was really his life's great work. Sports were his passion. And his patience was never-ending, coaching his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and too many neighbor kids to count in the nuances of baseball, football, basketball, golf and swimming. Finally, with most of his family grown, he decided, at age 92, to start weekday gym workouts "to keep in shape" Keith will be missed and remembered by all who knew him. But most of all, by his dear friends and large loving family. Surviving are children, John Arnold of Indianapolis, Joseph Arnold of Fort Wayne, David (Linda) Arnold of Lake Tippicanoe, and Andrea (Ron) Herman of Fort Wayne; and brothers-in-law, Patrick Quinn of Clark Summit, Pa. and Thomas (Elizabeth) Quinn of Fort Wayne. He was the loving grandfather to Amy Gaerte of Syracuse, Ind., Sara Arnold and Laura Arnold, both of Fort Wayne, Jen (Dave) McDonald and Doug Rooks, Zach, Alex and Mark Herman, all of Fort Wayne, and Alex and Christian Arnold of Indianapolis, and great-grandfather of nine. Henry was preceded in death by his bride of 64 years, Connie, in 2009; and their infant son, James Henry Arnold. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Road, with calling one hour prior. Calling also from2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at D.O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, with a vigil at 3:30 p.m. Burial in Catholic Cemetery, Memorials may be made to Masses at St. Charles. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.domccombandsons.com