Arnold Andrew Trillet

students at Moody Bible Institute before pastoring a church in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where they lived for many years. Arnie’s siblings, Milly and Richard, were born during the years in Baraboo. The family then moved to La Salle, Illinois and later to Wheaton, where he graduated high school.

Arnie met his future bride Cathy in youth group at First Baptist Church. They both attended Elmhurst College and married on June 1,1963. In the years following graduation, Arnie taught high school, and during that time three sons Jeff, Doug, and James were born. Arnie then decided to seek a more adventurous career and joined American Airlines in Chicago. He obtained a master's degree in education while living in Wheaton. The family moved to Pennsylvania where Arnie took a position as an executive for American Airlines and commuted by train to New York City. He later took a job with PepsiCo, and the family moved to Trumbull, Connecticut where Arnie was instrumental in the establishment of Christian Heritage School, a beloved place where Jeff, Doug and James attended for many years. The family enjoyed worshipping at Calvary Free Church. Arnie travelled extensively during his corporate years, visiting every continent but Australia and Antarctica! 

The next move saw the family moving to Montgomery Township outside of Princeton, New Jersey where Arnie worked for Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical company as the Vice President of Human Resources. It was there they welcomed daughter Chelsea to their family. Arnie’s quest for learning spread over many decades and included a master's in business administration, counseling, and Biblical Studies culminating in his master's in theology from Fuller Seminary. At this final graduation ceremony, Arnie shared his heartfelt gratitude to Cathy for her constant encouragement as she stood by his side supporting his educational efforts. All these degrees contributed to many fulfilling years of counseling both in Arnie’s private practice and through church after moving to Colorado. He always liked challenges and different ministry opportunities, one of which led to his Chaplainship at Territorial Prison in Canon City. He absolutely loved working with the prisoners, sharing the Gospel, and leading prisoners to find freedom through Christ. He was introduced to prison ministry by his brother Richard and they had many spirited conversations about it.

Arnie loved the Lord and his family with dedicated devotion and a quite a bit of humor. His wife, children, and three grandchildren Ben, Natalie and Sam, were the light of his life, and they created wonderful memories during many vacations as well as birthday and holiday celebrations together. Arnie, an avid fisherman, found great joy fishing with his sons in Alaska, Canada, and around the U.S. One of the last big trips as a family was to celebrate Arnie and Cathy's 50th wedding anniversary in Destin, FL.

Arnie's family and many friends will remember him as a wise, loving, tender-hearted, generous, godly man who blessed all those who knew him. We will feel his loss until we celebrate with him again in eternity.

Arnold Trillet is survived by his wife, Catherine Trillet, his brother Richard, his two sons, Jeff and Jim, his daughter in law Kristine (Jim), grandkids, Ben, Natalie, and Sammy and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Doug and daughter Chelsea, his mother, Rachel Trillet, father, Anton Trillet, and sister, Mildred Trillet.

A memorial service will be held at Swan Law Funeral home on Tuesday, December 5th at 11 AM. Please join us in remembering Arnold and celebrating his life.