John Arnold

(11-5-24) John A. Arnold (54) of Portland was pronounced dead at the scene after his 1992 Harley` Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail motorcycle left the road and crashed in a field at around 12:15 a.m. Monday. Arnold was thrown from his motorcycle, ending up 17 feet away. According to the Jay County Coroner Arnold suffered fatal head trauma that likely killed him on impact. He was not wearing a helmet.

Arnold was driving his motorcycle east on Indiana 26 near Division Road when it left the south side of the road. A witness…Kimberly Pinkerton, a rural Portland resident, was driving behind Arnold, and told Jay County Sheriff ’s Deputies that Arnold had been driving in the center of the road as he maneuvered through curves, she indicated that there was loose stone on the road, she lost sight of Arnold coming out of the curves but noticed lights shining from a field south of the road. Arnold backed up and noticed his motorcycle in the field.

John Arnold Obituary

John Arnold, age 54, a resident of Portland, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024, following a motorcycle accident west of Portland. 

John was born September 6, 1970, in Bluffton, Indiana, the son of Terry and Jessie Paulette (Hodge) Evans.  He attended South Adams High School and earned an associate and bachelor’s degree.  John worked at MSSL in Portland and enjoyed carpentry and mechanical work.  He married Suzzanne Williams on November 16, 2023. 

Survivors include:

His wife:  Suzzanne Arnold – Portland, Indiana

3 sons:  Harley Arnold (wife Jessica) – Portland, Indiana

             Dustan Slade – Geneva, Indiana

             Dorwin Arnold – Grand Junction, Michigan

Step-children:  Asheley Scott (husband Andy) and Justin White (wife Jessica)

Siblings:  Tracy Arnold – Portland, Indiana

                Terry “TJ” Arnold – Portland, Indiana

                Clint Evans – Portland, Indiana

                Misty Vance – Fort Wayne, Indiana

               Troy Arnold (wife Mandy) – Muncie, Indiana

               Kristi Arnold  – Selma, Indiana

Grandchildren:  Karson Arnold, Brooklynn Arnold and Neveah Petty

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland.  Funeral services will follow at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home with Bob Graham officiating.  Burial will follow at a later date at Green Park Cemetery in Portland.