Eugene Allen Arbuckle

Eugene (Gene) A. Arbuckle, age 89, passed away on May 24, 2026, at Kennybrook Retirement Village in Grimes, Iowa. Eugene was born on March 13, 1937, in Bloomington, IL to Melvin and Inez (Allen) Arbuckle, who resided in Heyworth, IL. Melvin was a carpenter and Inez worked as a sales representative for Avon. Eugene always spoke fondly of his childhood in Heyworth.

He married Patricia A. Holderby on November 24, 1956, who was his high school sweetheart in Heyworth. Eugene graduated from Illinois State University Normal in 1959 with a degree in Business Administration and then entered the Army for two years from 1959-1961. He was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. After Eugene's discharge from the Army in 1961, he hired on with State Farm Insurance and worked for them for 34 years until his retirement in March 1995.

In addition to his parents, Eugene was preceded in death by his sister, Colleen Bryan. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Patricia Arbuckle, who resides in Grimes, IA, his two sons, Kerry Arbuckle of Des Moines, IA, John Arbuckle (Shannon) of Urbandale, IA, and three grandsons, Peyton, Isaac, and Elias Arbuckle, who all reside in Iowa.

Eugene and Patricia resided in their house in north Normal, IL for over 56 years, and treasured the relationships they developed with their neighbors over the years. Eugene was a great storyteller, and occasionally pulled a practical joke on a friend, neighbor, or co-worker, but always with a sense of humor and fun.

Eugene not only enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life, but liked sailing at Evergreen Lake north of Normal in the 1970's and 80's. He was an avid reader of mystery novels and liked to play poker with his work friends over the years. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be greatly missed.

Upon Eugene's request, memorial services will be limited to family and close friends in Heyworth at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Eugene's memory to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (cdcportal.va.gov/donate_online/).