ELDREDGE, Keith Nelson 1935-2013

ELDREDGE, CROSS, LAMB

Posted By: COUNTY COORDINATOR
Date: 8/20/2013 at 12:49:47

Keith Nelson Eldredge

Aug. 13, 1935 - Aug. 16, 2013

Keith Nelson Eldredge, 78, of Newburn, Tennessee, passed away at his home on Aug. 16, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.

He was born on August 13, 1935, in Carey, Idaho, to Forest Howard Eldredge and Vivian Elizabeth Cross Eldredge. He was amongst 11 children in the family.

On October 24, 1957, he married Beverly Ann Cutler and they had four children: Keith Junior, David John, Christine Camille and Penny Jean Eldredge. After working several jobs in Idaho, their family relocated to Charles City, Iowa where he spent most of his working career as a mechanic technician for Swartzrock Implement.

He spent much of his time working on cars and furthering his education in the field of mechanics. He obtained his GED from North Iowa Area Community College in May of 1972.

Keith loved to fish, play guitar and harmonica, camp, make homemade foods with the family, and be a testimony of the Lord to others.

He was a faithful member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church in Charles City for over 30 years. He became an ordained minister on January 19, 1997.

After losing his wife Beverly to health complications he wed Marie Lamb on July 22, 1988. Upon retirement from Swartzrock Implement in 2001 they moved to Newburn, Tennessee.

Keith spent several years as a Red Coat Volunteer at the Dyersburg Regional Medical Center in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He was a great inspiration to patients and staff with his willingness to serve and undying testimony of the Gospel. Keith was also a member of Second Baptist Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by Keith Junior, David John, and Beverly Ann Eldredge, his parents, and six siblings.

Keith is survived by his wife of 25 years Marie Eldredge, daughters Christine (Tony) Kerns, Penny (Stuart) Ihde; and four stepsons, Gary Lamb, Ray (Brenda) Lamb, John (Tracy) Lamb, and Paul Lamb. Grandchildren include Brandon (Rachel) Kerns, Brian (Miriam) Kerns, Bradley (Olivia) Kerns, Ryan (Lindsay) Ihde, Rosalie Ihde, Regina (Joseph) Krambeer along with five stepgrandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include sister Mary Stanger, brother Allen Eldredge, brother Burl Eldredge, and sister Julia Ward.

Memorial services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church (703 Milwaukee St.) in Charles City on Thursday Aug. 22 from 5-8 p.m. in an open house forum. An additional memorial service will be held in Dyersburg, Tennessee, on August 31 from 2-5 p.m. The venue is yet to be determined.

Memorial donations can be directed to the family at 2026 Paulis Drive, Faribault, MN 55021 in memory of Keith Eldredge. Funds will be used to cover burial expenses, and any additional funds will be directed to the American Cancer Society and Hospice Care Centers of Tennessee.

Source: Charles City Press website, Aug. 20, 2013