Arne Hamalainen

Arne Kauno Hamalainen, 84, of Waukegan, IL, passed away on June 23, 2026, in Milwaukee, WI.

Arne was born on August 22, 1941, in Pittsfield, MA, the son of Kauno Urpo and Alice (Mannisto) Hamalainen. When he turned twelve, he and his family moved to Lake Worth, FL, where he graduated from Lake Worth High. He married Marilyn Weyenberg on September 9, 1961, at The Tabernacle Church, and together they raised a family in Waukegan, IL. Arne received a business degree from Lake Forest College and worked as a reliability engineer for high power engines. He was consultant and service advisor for International Harvester, Komatsu, and Dressta, helping design heavy machinery for harvesting crops and coal mining. His job required him to travel and visit many places, such as England, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Poland, and Chile.

He enjoyed the outdoors with his wife and family. They biked, canoed and boated with him. Working on cars and engines was a hobby. Arne was a faithful man who loved the Lord dearly. Often he served the Lord by helping others. Daily he read God’s Word and Psalm 91 every day.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Hamalainen; two children, Kristel Wilkins and Greg (Melanie) Hamalainen; five grandchildren: Teagen, Aiden, Bryant, Krystal, and Jerry; siblings, Eileen Conner and Karl Hamalainen; nephews, Michael Hamalainen, Roy Yaun, Kenny Rudd, and Ronnie Rudd; and nieces, Renee Deese, Tracy Davis, Donna Hamann, and Leslie Williams.

Arne was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Jeanie Yaun, Nancy Callahan, and Roy Hamalainen; son-in-law Robert "Bob" Wilkins; and nephews Robert Conner and Jason Hamalainen.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Wesley Methodist Church. A second visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. also at Wesley Methodist Church, 3601 N. Lewis Ave., Waukegan, IL. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park in Zion, IL.