Arnold R. Vanwinkle

Arnold R. Van Winkle, 87, of Richmond, passed away on Thursday, May 15 in Tennessee.

Arnold was born on June 10, 1937, in Morrill, Kentucky to Palestine & Chessie Leger Van Winkle. He was raised in the area of Big Hill and Berea, Kentucky. He married the former Rosella Shearer Tanner on March 15, 1966. They were blessed with 53 years of marriage before her death on May 6, 2019.

Arnold retired from Belden. He was an accomplished musician, playing with the Van Brothers as well as performing solo. The Van Brothers recorded such noticeable songs as “Sweet Marie” and “Servant of Love” and are enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Arnold also wrote and composed numerous pieces with his wife, Rosella.    He enjoyed going to flea markets and was a fan of Hee Haw. His favorite performer from the show was Grandpa Jones.

Arnold will be missed by his daughters & sons-in-law, Dana Kay & Michael Dean Root, Jr. and Debbie Vanover; son & daughter-in-law, Gregory Leon & Barbara Ann Tanner; granddaughters, Cherish Tanner and Kayla Tanner; grandsons, Joshua Tanner, Dylan Tanner, Evan Root, Michael Tanner, Brian Carriger, great-granddaughters, Evelyn Kay Root, Adison Skye Tanner and Hailey Rose Tanner; nephews, Roger VanWinkle and Boyd VanWinkle.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Rosella, and sons, Vance Van Winkle and Frank Tanner; and siblings, Clyde, Emil, Winfred, Bob, Rip, Sally, Ted and Phillip.

A funeral ceremony will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, at the Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. Interment will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery.

Family and friends may gather for visitation from 9:30–10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, at the funeral home.