A Memorial Service for Eldon C. Booker will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating. Inurnment will be held at the Edison Cemetery, Edison, Nebraska, at a later date.
The Service will be streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622
Eldon C. Booker, 97, of Holdrege, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Eldon was born in Edison on January 25, 1924, the second child of Ervin L. and Ada M. (Tammen) Booker and was baptized in the Republican River, South of Edison. He was confirmed in the Free Methodist Church in Edison and was a member of the church until it was closed.
Eldon grew up in the Edison area on the family farm and attended District #105 Country School for grades, 1st through 8th. He graduated from Edison High School at the age of 15, with the Class of 1939. After high school, Eldon was enrolled in a Post Graduate Course and attended Central College in McPherson, Kansas. He was later employed by J.C.Penny’s in Holdrege, and also worked at the Ammunition Depot in Hastings, Nebraska.
Eldon served his country from 1943-1945, in the South Pacific in the Naval Medical Corp., which at the time was attached to the Marine Aviation; and he received his honorable discharge. Upon his return from the service, Eldon became a partner with his father in the grocery store and locker plant, Bookers Market. He operated the store for 25 years and was also a rural letter carrier out of Edison.
On June 21, 1945, Eldon was united in marriage to Luvenna A. Rawson of rural Orleans, Nebraska. She passed away, joining her parents in Heaven. This union was blessed with three daughters: Viki Rae, Lurita Kay, and Donna Sue. They made their home in Edison, until moving to Bertrand, Nebraska in 1974.
In 1974, the family began to make their home in Bertrand as Eldon was a mail carrier out of the Bertrand Post Office and later the Smithfield Rural Route was added to his duties. Eldon retired from the Post Office in 1986.
On October 6, 1999, Eldon was united in Holy Matrimony to Dorene A. Junkin of Holdrege, at the Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado. Together they enjoyed spending the winter months being “Snow Birds” in Peoria, Arizona.
Eldon enjoyed his yard, keeping it in the best shape possible. He loved the flowers that he planted, which was a great assortment of RED ones. He took great pride in his garden, nary a weed dare show its head.
He was a member of the ELKS, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and a lifetime member of the American Legion. Eldon enjoyed attending Grace Bible Church in Sun City, Arizona, and also the North Park Assembly of God Church in Holdrege. Being unable to hear, Eldon listened to Worship on TV. His faith was very strong and he believed that God was in control; and that by the Grace of God, he has entered the Portals of Heaven! Eldon received many blessings from God and he gave Thanks often. A lesson could be learned by the way in which he led his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Ada Booker; one sister, Lila Stenzel and her husband, Sullivan; Dorene’s parents, William and Emma Colgan; three sisters-in-law, Doretha Hyslop and her husband, Walter; Delpha Johnson and her husband, Leland; and Dolores Naumann, and her husband, Walter; and step-daughter-in-law, Cheryl (Lilyhorn) Junkin.
Eldon is survived by his wife, Dorene Junkin of Holdrege; three daughters: Viki Rae Dyer and her husband, Darryl of Willits, California; Lurita Fisher and her significant other, Ed McLeish of Oxford, Nebraska; and Donna Sue Bernt of Holdrege; four grandsons: Eric (Jen) DeVries of San Antonio, Texas; Travis (Cindy) Fisher of Oxford; Kip Eldon (Alissa) Fisher of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and Kelly (Haley) Bernt of Loomis, Nebraska; eight great-grandchildren: Jocelyn (Max) Stern of Colorado; Amanda (Glenn) Grout of Pennsylvania; Kathryn DeVries of Montana; Adrianna DeVries of Nevada; Christopher (Miranda) DeVries of Virginia; Kennedy, Camryn, and Kade Eldon Fisher of Omaha; and Bo Allen Bernt of Loomis; two great-great-granddaughters, Priya Grout; and Dakota DeVries; three step-children: Mary (Ron) Lewis of Gothenburg, Nebraska; Neil J. Junkin of Bertrand; and Beth (Brian) Langenberg of Bertrand; six step-grandchildren: Jennifer (Gary) Weikel of Bennington, Nebraska; Natalie (Shawn) Hagan of Kearney; Jessica Junkin of Kearney; Erin (Brian) McCuen of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Brad (Megan) Langenberg of Holdrege; and Becky (Arik) Jones of Kearney; eighteen step-great-grandchildren: Tyler, Jacob, Micah, and Eli Weikel; Kayten, Keelie, and Kenna Hagan; Jordan and Jacob Langenberg; Michael and Emery Jones; and Brandon, Akeil, Kapone, and Anika Applewhite; and Jim, Carly, and Austin Gentry of San Antonio, Texas; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
There will be no visitation or viewing. The family is honoring his wish for cremation.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Expressions of kindness and caring can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
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