LC Eldredge, 101, died Feb. 24 in his home at Orchard Crest Retirement Community, where he had resided for the past 10 years.
A memorial of life service will be Saturday, March 4, at Ben Cast and Son-Wood Funeral Home in Holden, Missouri, with visitation at noon and service at 1 p.m. Bring any stories you would like to share.
LC was born the second child of Eli and Myrtle (Merritt) Eldredge on the family farm 2 miles west of Holden. LC was raised initially on the farm and then in the town of Holden and was a 1933 graduate of Holden High School. After graduation he followed his father into the farming profession, from which he retired in his 70’s. LC served in the Air Force in WWII as a ground crew chief for the B-17 bomber “Sister Kate,” of the 390th Bomb Group, and was stationed near London. Following the war, he returned to farming. When he was 50 he married Mary Struebin and became father to her two daughters, Ann and Marla. Mary preceded him in death in 2002. LC moved to Spokane Valley, Washington, in 2007 to be closer to his daughters.
LC is survived by his best friend and sweetheart, Alvena Chapman, with whom he shared 8 years. He is also survived by daughters Ann Rai and Marla Struebin; sister Alice Flournoy; grandchildren Shandev Rai, Krishmin Rai, Laurel Struebin Abbotts and Kieran Struebin Abbott and one great-granddaughter, Eloise Rai. LC was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his granddaughter Gillian, his parents, and an infant brother.
Family requests in lieu of flowers, if so desired, donations to to one of the following organizations: The Christmas Store in Holden, Hospice of Spokane, or the 390th Memorial Museum in Tucson, Arizona.