Dr. Glenn Freeman Arnold, 85, professor emeritus of Wheaton College, died peacefully Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at The Grove of St. Charles where he had resided for the past year. He had been in long-term nursing care for eight years as Parkinsonism gradually weakened his body but not his mind. His daughter, Melody (Arnold) Kerpe and son-in-law, Dr. Algimantas "Al" Kerpe, were at Glenn's bedside playing music by the Canadian Brass as he joined his wife of 61 years, Margaret Ann, and his Heavenly Father.

Glenn was born on June 23, 1933, in Johnson City, New York to the Rev. Milton D. and Charlotte E. Arnold. Affiliated with the Baptist denomination, Glenn's father pastored numerous churches during his elementary years which brought the young family to Binghamton and Buffalo, New York; and Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

In Ohio, Glenn's passion for music flourished at Cleveland Heights High School where he played trumpet as a member of the school's award-winning marching band. He attended college at Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, Tenn. where he met a sweet soprano named Margaret Ann Hamil of Chattanooga. After graduation, the couple married on June 12, 1954, at Ridgedale Methodist Church. For the next year, the newlyweds toured the country as part of a musical group, Trumpet Trio, with The Kings College in New York.

Glenn and Margaret Ann relocated to Chicago where Glenn attended Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago where he earned a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained. He accepted a position as interim pastor at First Baptist Church of Park Ridge in the community where they made their home for the next 20 years.

During that time, Glenn made a transition from ministry to higher education when he accepted a faculty position at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Glenn taught English and a variety of writing courses. He completed further post-graduate training at Northwestern University receiving a master's of arts degree in English; and at New York University where he earned his doctorate, Ph.D.

In 1976, Glenn accepted a faculty position in the Communications Department at Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, Ill. During his 30 years in that role, Glenn's accomplishments included: author of Writing Award Winning Articles, and co-author of Helmut Ziefle's, One Woman Against the Reich; adjunct faculty member at Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya as well as other in Thailand, Philippines, and Sweden; and led the East Coast Seminar in Washington, D.C. and New York City, N.Y., for more than 10 years, taking communications students to meet with media and governmental agencies. After more than 30 years with the Graduate School, he retired with the closing of its Communications Department and received status as professor emeritus. Glenn often commented that he considered it a great privilege having contributed to the writing careers of his students.

Glenn always found ways of incorporating physical fitness and music into every aspect of his life. He was an avid runner and multiple marathon finisher well into his late 60s. Glenn continued playing his trumpet faithfully into his 70s and was a proud member of the Fox Valley Concert Band for 21 years. Together with his devoted spouse, Margaret Ann, they were inspired to create the Wheaton Band Festival that brought outstanding brass, military and concert bands to Memorial Park the third week of July annually for 14 years. Together, Glenn and Margaret Ann wrote a religion column for the Daily Journal newspaper called "Spirited People." They were both longstanding members of Gary United Methodist Church, Wheaton.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ann Arnold of Wheaton; parents, Rev. Milton D. Arnold and Charlotte E. Arnold of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and one nephew, Jonathan C. Arnold.

Glenn is survived by his daughter, and only child, Melody Arnold Kerpe (Dr. Algimantas S. Kerpe) of Geneva, Ill.; two granddaughters, Calla Lefley Zolner (Christopher Zolner) of Monee, Ill., and Carissa Ann Lefley, also of Geneva; one brother, Don Arnold (Jan Arnold) of Gurnee, Ill.; one nephew, Jordan Arnold; and two nieces, Rachel Alves and Lindsey Arnold.

A memorial celebration service will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 13, 2019, at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. Guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments with the family in Gary's Fellowship Hall. Burial will be private on Friday, July 12, at Wheaton Cemetery. Contributions in honor of Dr. Glenn F. Arnold to the Fox Valley Concert Band, P.O. Box 1422, St. Charles, IL. 60174 appreciated.