Loren Arnold Eldridge

Loren Arnold Eldridge April 2, 1933 – April 5, 2016 With laughter and tears, singing and silence, Loren Eldridge, 83, was ushered to Heaven's gate on April 5, 2016, surrounded by his children. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 8 at the United Methodist Church in Adel with burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter. Friends may call Thursday, April 7 after 2 p.m. at McCalley Funeral Home in Adel where family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. with prayer service at 7 p.m. Loren was born April 2, 1933 in Winterset, IA to Arthur and Evelyn (Hubbard) Eldridge. He graduated high school from Jefferson, IA and joined the air force in 1952. Loren was stationed at Whiteman AF base. While serving his country, he met and married Mary Lee. They were married for 18 years and had six children. Later in life Loren married Ruby Stepp. On December 4, 1956 he left the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant and began Ag school and farming. They moved to Marshalltown, IA, Keytesville, MO and later settled near Adel, IA. He built a house in De Soto in 1967 and many life lessons and fond memories were made. He took a job with the Iowa DOT and retired in 1998. Loren enjoyed spending time with his family, making home-made ice cream, building model railroads and restoring old cars. He was a youth leader and layman of the De Soto United Methodist Church in the early 1970's. Loren was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Eldridge and Evelyn (Hubbard) Eldridge; sister Kathleen and brother Gerald. He is survived by his sister Frances (Ron) Fenimore; children Larry, Linda Bond, Terri (Rick) Lightly, Debbie Gay, Marie (Ted) Hansen, Monica (Kyle) Blake, 13 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren. . Memorial contributions may be directed to United Methodist Church in De Soto. Online condolences may left at this site.