A celebration of life for Eldon M. Gingerich, 82, of Kalona, was held Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. The service will be available via Livestream at the Lower Deer Creek website: ldcmc.org. A private family burial will be held at Lower Deer Creek Cemetery prior to the service. Eldon passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. A memorial fund has been established for Gospel Echoes Prison Ministry and the Pleasantview Home Building Fund. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Eldon Monroe Gingerich, was born Nov. 28, 1937, the son of Paul D. and Viola (Miller) Gingerich, in Johnson County Iowa. He attended Middleburg School in rural Kalona. He gave his heart to Christ in his youth and was baptized at the Fairview Mennonite Church. In later years he transferred his membership to Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, where he served terms as elder and trustee.
On May 29, 1959, he was united in marriage to Judith Ann Miller at the Upper Deer Creek Church. They celebrated 61 years of marriage in May. Eldon farmed in the Kalona area and also began a field tiling business with his father.
Eldon and Judy raised their family on the farm where he grew up east of Kalona. Through this, he modeled the innovative resourcefulness that he passed on to his children. A self-taught mechanic, he would even fix his tiling machine out on the job site rather than haul it back to the shop to repair. He was a perfectionist in everything he did. (He was known for his arrow-straight corn rows!)
After retiring from farming, Eldon took up woodworking, an interest he acquired from his father-in-law. His handmade Amish benches and children’s ‘puzzle’ rocking chairs made their way to family and friends, and around the country when he made them for the Relief Sale.
Eldon and Judy enjoyed travel. They found their way to much of the United States, as well as to Canada, Israel, South Africa, England, and went on mission trips to Nicaragua. Whenever there was an opportunity to go, Eldon went, even if it was only for a ride to the hardware store with his daughters.
Most importantly, Eldon adored his family. Even to his final week, he would light up when he saw his grandchildren. He loved them, and they loved him. Though he was not a verbal man, his wife and children always knew they were treasured.
In recent years, Eldon suffered from both Parkinson’s and Dementia. The final week of his life was a beautiful gift from God, as He carefully orchestrated Eldon’s release from the earthly body that was becoming a difficult challenge for him, and brought him across the finish line to his heavenly home.
Eldon and Judy were the parents of five children who survive: Reagan (Lynn) Gingerich of Kalona, Ryan (Sue) Gingerich of North Liberty, Jerilyn (Dan) Martin of Lititz, Pa., Gwen (Lendyl) Thomas of Enterprise, Ore., and Craig (Lynette) Gingerich of Kalona; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; six step grandchildren; and 15 step great-grandchildren; two brothers: Marlin (Nancy Gingerich of Riverside and Emery Gingerich of Kalona; and three sisters: Mary Gingerich of Charlotte, N.C., Erma Peachey of Trout Run, Pa., and Barbara Pottorff of Kalona.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law: John A. and Effie Miller; granddaughter: Melanie Gingerich; brothers: Clarence, Paul Jr., Marvin, and an infant brother; sister: Laura Keener; brothers-in-law: Richard Miller, Chester Peachey and Frank Pottorff; and sister-in-law: Jane Gingerich.
