Darlene June (Jacobus) Arnold of Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake, passed away enexpectedly at 4:03 a.m. Sunday, July 12, 2015, at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 84.

She had worked as a telephone operator for 28 years at Ameritech-Indiana Bell retiring in 1979.  Darlene enjoyed music and creative writing, especially poetry.  She was very devoted to her large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins…attending many wonderful family reunions at various locations across the country in her younger days.  She was also strong and steadfast in her faith.  Her 17 years spent at Grace Village Retirement Community were filled with a very active social calendar as well as much fun and fellowship.

She had been an active member of Burket United Methodist Church and the Burket Prayer and Share Group prior to her move to Grace Village.  Darlene was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the Salvation Army Auxiliary, Kosciusko County Choral Club of Warsaw, the Kosciusko County Hospital Auxiliary, and Winona Lake Literary Club.

She will be fondly remembered as a very thoughtful and devoted aunt, great-aunt, and dear friend to many at Grace Village.

Darlene was born on June 23, 1931, in Chicago, Ill. to Gertrude B. (Zimmerman) Jacobus and George H. Jacobus.  On Sept. 22, 1973 she was married in Crown Point, to Richard L. Arnold, who passed away in 1987.  She and her husband Richard lived for several years in the Bloomington, area, as well as Hammond and Mentone.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sister: Jeanne (Lowell) Norris, Norton Shores, Michigan; two nephews: Kevin (Kristi) Norris,  San Francisco, California; Timothy (Patricia) Norris, Muskegon, Michigan; and one great-nephew: Ari Norris.

Darlene also leaves behind several Zimmerman family cousins: one aunt: Bette (Zimmerman) Weedmark; good friend: Andy Lewis; and all of her friends at Grace Village.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

A graveside service will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Palestine Cemetery in Palestine.  Arrangements are entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, to be held in the Grace Village Chapel.  Her service will be officiated by Chaplain Bryan Benjamin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Northwest Indiana Office, Mishawaka, and would be appreciated by her family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s web site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com