Joe E. Arnold, 82, of State Center, IA, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017, at the Iowa River Hospice Home. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 21, 2017, at Anderson Funeral Homes, 405 W. Main St., Marshalltown. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m., until the time of the services. Inurnment will be at Rosehill Memorial Gardens, in Marshalltown. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.

Joe was born May 2, 1935, to Joe and Mayme (Overland) Arnold, in Marshalltown. He attended Albion High School. Joe was united in marriage to Bea Walker on May 4, 1957, in Marshalltown. He was employed with Fisher Controls for 39 years. He was a member of Clemons United Church of Christ, Parkinsons Group, and National Horse Shoe Pitchers Association. Joe was a fun-loving man who always chose to laugh or tell a joke rather than dwell on life’s small problems. He was a tireless worker who preferred hard work over idle time. Joe would be the first one to get a paint brush wet or carry a bundle of shingles up on a roof when one of his children or grandchildren moved to a new house and the last to take a coffee break. He was always working away with laughter and some good country music playing in the background. If there was no work to be done, then it was time for a game of cards, beanbags, or horse shoes. “Let’s play one more game”, he would say. His love of music was equaled only by his love to share it with others. He joyfully spent hours creating mixed tapes with just the right songs or artists he felt would bring the right message to the recipient. This was really his ministry to show his love and compassion to family and friends. His greatest love was his wife, Bea, and his family. They would travel the state to watch children and grandchildren show their livestock or participate in sporting events. Most of all, Joe loved when family came rolling in the front door. Bea would always have baked treats or candy on hand to keep company fed and keep Joe’s sweet tooth satisfied. Bea’s kind-loving words and Joe’s jokes would create a smile and laughter in any situation which will live on through their family.

Joe will be missed by his daughter, Cindy (Keith) Stalzer of State Center, two sons; Doug (Julie) Arnold of St. Anthony, IA, Jeff (Brenda) Arnold of State Center, seven grandchildren; Heather (Matt) Nason, Brian (Monika) Stalzer, Emily (Blake) Ruehlow, Haley (Adam) Powers, Jill (Dickie) Wright, Dani (Andrew) Haskenhoff, Tanner Arnold, eleven great grandchildren; Jase Nason, Cael, Adler, and Beckett Ruehlow, Huxley, Myla, and Ansyn Powers, Addison Wright, Camden and Lennon Haskenhoff. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bea, a son, Daniel, two brothers; Chuck, Bud, five sisters; Dory, Betty, Pearle, Mary, and Millie.