Charles Lonnie Waldrop

Charles Lonnie Waldrop, at the age of 86, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour while at home with his family on June 18, 2026, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born to Charles Andrew Waldrop and Inez Tisdale Waldrop on October 5, 1939, in Peoria, Illinois. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He attended Washinton High School in Washington, IL and Bradley University in Peoria, IL. After serving in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Electrical Navigation Technician, he was then a Mechanical Design Engineer, working at Little Giant Products in Peoria, IL, during which he met and fell in love with his wife of 57 years, Donna Jo (Danley) Waldrop. She survives along with her sons, Kevin Euguene Waldrop of San Diego, CA, and Lonnie Scott Waldrop of Hot Springs, AR, and predeceased by their son Willam Charles Waldrop of Hot Springs, AR.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws Eugene & Helen Smith Danley, and is survived by his sisters Helen Smith of Creston, IA and Mary Sue Mardis of Bloomington, IL, and predeceased by sister Shirley Weber of Morton, IL. He is also survived by grandchildren: Alyssa Whittle, Lauren Burke, Jill Johnson and Chris Waldrop, and predeceased by grandson Benjamin Waldrop and great grandson Jace Waldrop, and additionally survived by 35 nieces and nephews.

Charles was an active member of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church. Previously, he was a Deacon at Twin Lakes Baptist Church, in Hot Springs. Additionally, he was called to minister and started a church in DePue, IL after being ordained as a Baptist Minister.

He and his wife retired after 17 years of owning and operating up to 3 Daylight Donuts in Hot Springs. He was awarded ‘Laymen Friend of the Year’ by the Hilcrest Children’s Home where he was lovingly called “The Donut Man” for his charitable donations of donuts.

He authored and published his life experiences memoir, “A Man’s Incredible Journey with God: Where Miracles Abound” which serves as a poignant reminder that the miraculous is not confined to ancient times but continues to unfold in our lives today.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in honor of Charles Waldrop by mailing a check to 5963 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71913.

Services will be held at Lake Hamilton Baptist Church, 5963 Central Ave (Hwy. 7 South), Hot Springs, AR, on Friday, June 26, 2026. Visitation at 9:00 a.m. with services beginning at 10:00 a.m., after which there will be a procession to the cemetery, Memorial Gardens on Highway 70 West, Hot Springs, AR.