Matthew Eric Arnold

AUSTINTOWN – Matthew Eric Arnold, 53, passed away Saturday evening, Sept. 1, 2018, at his home following an extended illness.

Matthew was born July 6, 1965, in Parkersburg, W.Va., a son of Neal and Joyce Newell Arnold. Matt was raised in Coolville, Ohio, and came to the Youngstown area in 1990.

He was a 1983 graduate of Federal Hocking High School, and graduated with a bachelors degree in 1987 from the Ohio University School of Journalism in Athens, where he won numerous awards for his editorial talents.

Matt made a career of journalism and worked in the newspaper business all of his adult life, including the last 28 years for The Youngstown Vindicator where he was currently the Design Desk Chief after previously serving as Sports Editor.

In 2017, his work at The Vindicator led to Matt winning first place as best headline writer in the annual Ohio Associated Press Media Editors newspaper competition.

The Vindicator staff will remember Matt as a vigilant editor, trusted co-worker, great friend and the biggest fan of Ohio State University football ever encountered.

Previously, he had worked for the Athens Messenger, the Parkersburg (W.Va.) News, and for The Jeffersonian in Cambridge.

In his younger years, Matt was a member of Torch Baptist Church in Torch, Ohio. Matt loved God, family, friends, the Ohio University Bobcats, his Buckeyes, and he had a “roaming heart” just like his father, and loved to get behind the wheel and travel.

Matt leaves the love of his life, Lorie Little Arnold, whom he married Dec. 6, 2014; a son, Stephen Arnold of Youngstown; a stepson, Larry Armes of Salem; his mother, Joyce Arnold of Vienna, W.Va.; a grandson, Leyton Arnold; two step-grandchildren; a brother, Mark (Tammy Hacker) Arnold of St. Louis, Mo.; a sister, Tammy (Mike) Whitnable of Vincent; a brother, Jon (Amy Jo) Arnold of Nashville, Tenn.; his mother-in-law, Gail Little of Austintown; many extended family members; many friends; and his dog, Marnie.

Matt was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Arnold; his father, Neal; grandparents, Roy and Marie Arnold, and Claude and Mabel Newell; and his beloved canine companion, Chewey.

A celebration of Matt’s life will take place Saturday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m., at Porterfield Baptist Church, 39 Hollywood Dr., Little Hocking, OH 45742.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

Matt’s family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution do so by donating to the Epilepsy Foundation, in memory of Matt’s daughter, Jennifer, through www.epilepsy.com on the “Ways to Give” page.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.