Melvin C. Arnold

ARNOLD Melvin C. Melvin C. Arnold, retired Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, died peacefully on January 1, 2007, in Naples, Florida, after a brief struggle with cancer. He was 83. Before moving to Naples, Mr. Arnold and his wife, Margaret, lived in Bratenahl, Ohio and spent summers in Southampton, Long Island, New York. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on March 8, 1923, to the late Chester and Esther Lauffer Arnold. Mr. Arnold attended Clay High School where he was Class President and Valedictorian. He was a graduate of Ohio State University and was a member and president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After graduating from the University of Toledo Law School, he began his career in 1950 inside the legal department of Toledo Scale Co., where he was soon named General Counsel. Three years later, Mr. Arnold moved his family to Omaha, Nebraska, to become General Counsel at Continental Bakery (then Omar Bakery). In 1959, Mr. Arnold moved his family once again, this time to Cleveland, Ohio, where he joined Eaton Corporation as an attorney. Mr. Arnold's career progressed at the same rapid pace as the corporation he helped to grow. In 1973, Mr. Arnold was promoted to Executive Vice President--Law and Corporate Relations. In that position, he managed numerous corporate officer functions. Mr. Arnold is survived by his wife of 32 years, Margaret, of Naples; eight children; eleven grandchildren; four great-grand-children and a former wife, Julia McDonald Arnold of Shaker Heights. He is survived by his sister, Doris Jean (Emil) Kohntopp of Toledo and numerous nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews in the Toledo area. At the family's request, any memorial donations should be made to the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation/DD, 1275 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, (216-241-8230). Arrangements are being managed by The Beachwood Society in Naples, Florida, (239-261-1767). A memorial service will be held for friends and family on Friday, January 12, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. at Mayfield Country Club, 1545 Sheridan Rd., South Euclid, Ohio 44121, 216-381-0826.