Published: May 10, 2009 12:50 am      

Richard A. Eldridge

Oct. 4, 1943 - May 8, 2009

Richard A. Eldridge, 65, Atlanta entered his heavenly home at 7:27 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2009, after battling health issues for 2 1/2 years. He was born Oct. 4, 1943, in Mishawaka, to Paul and Nellie (Cardwell) Eldridge.

In 1948, his family relocated to Kokomo. He graduated from Kokomo High School in 1961 and immediately began working at Kokomo Sanitary Pottery. A year later, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Grand Forks, N.D., where he met Lola Nelson. They were married from Oct. 6, 1963, until her death Jan. 13, 1978. He completed his tour of duty at Grissom AFB near Peru and was then hired by the City of Kokomo Police Department, serving 20 years as a patrolman and photographer. On Aug. 12, 1978, he married Ellen Weismiller, she survives.

Dick was a member of the Elks Lodge 368 in Elwood, the American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police, where he served as vice president and a past member of the Eagles. He enjoyed bowling and traveling to several Indiana cities to participate in various bowling tournaments for several years.

He and Ellen enjoyed traveling to several states and countries to broaden their life experiences. He loved the outdoors. Dick could spend hours gardening, fishing, deer hunting, golfing, or just touring over the farm with his special companion — his dog, Lady.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his two sons, Rich and wife Dawn, Shelbyville, Rob and wife, Susan, Greentown; five grandchildren, Trevor, Kiel, Haley, Jesse and Joey; two step-grandchildren, Jessica and Zach Meadors; two sisters, Joan (Charles) Roe, Linda (Eldon) Grube and a brother, David, all of Kokomo. Also surviving are in-laws, Inez (Bob) Schwegler, Wesley (Karen) Nelson, Brian Nelson, Lyle (Layla) Nelson of Minnesota, Brian (Maritza) Nelson, California; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Brad and Jeff; a brother and sister-in-law, Eldon and Juanita Eldridge; a sister and brother-in-law, Norma and David Campbell; a niece and three nephews; and a special friend, Lloyd Williams.

The family will receive friends 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton, where a memorial service is 7 p.m. conducted by the Rev. Linda McKieran-Allen. The Elks Lodge will perform a memorial tribute at 6 p.m. and military rites will be conducted at the funeral home at the conclusion of the 7 p.m. memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Care Hospice or the charity of ones choice with envelopes available at the funeral home.