Richard A. Eldridge

Richard A. EldridgeRichard A. Eldridge, 65 of Atlanta entered his heavenly home on May 8, 2009 at 7:27am after battling health issues for 2 ½ years.  He was born on October 4, 1943 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Paul and Nellie (Cardwell) Eldridge.In 1948 his family relocated to Kokomo, Indiana. He graduated from Kokomo High School in 1961 and immediately began working at Kokomo Sanitary Pottery.  A year later, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Grand Forks, ND where he met Lola Nelson.  They were married from October 6, 1963 until her death on January 13, 1978.  He completed his tour of duty at Grissom AFB near Peru and was then hired by the City of Kokomo Police Department, serving 20 years as a patrolman and photographer.  On August 12, 1978 he married Ellen Weismiller, she survives.Dick was a member of the Elks Lodge #368 in Elwood, the American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police where he served as Vice President and a past member of the Eagles.  He enjoyed bowling and traveling to several Indiana cities to participate in various bowling tournaments for several years.  He and Ellen enjoyed traveling to several states and countries to broaden their life experiences.  He loved the outdoors.  Dick could spend hours gardening, fishing, deer hunting, golfing, or just touring over the farm with his special companion-his dog, Lady.He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his 2 sons, Rich and wife Dawn of Shelbyville, Rob and wife Susan of Greentown; 5 grandchildren, Trevor, Kiel, Haley, Jesse and Joey, 2 step-grandchildren, Jessica and Zach Meadors; 2 sisters, Joan (Charles) Roe, Linda (Eldon) Grube and a brother David all of Kokomo.  Also surviving are in-laws; Inez (Bob) Schwegler, Wesley (Karen) Nelson, Brian Nelson, Lyle (Layla) Nelson of Minnesota, Brian (Maritza) Nelson of California as well as several Nieces and Nephews.He was preceded in death by 2 sons, Brad and Jeff, 1 brother and sister-in-law, Eldon and Juanita Eldridge, 1 sister and brother-in-law, Norma and David Campbell, 1 niece, 3 nephews and a special friend, Lloyd Williams.The family will receive friends from 3-7pm Thursday May 14, 2009 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton, where a memorial service will commence at 7:00pm conducted by Rev. Linda McKieran-Allen.  The Elks Lodge will perform a memorial tribute at 6:00pm and military rites will be conducted at the funeral home at the conclusion of the 7:00pm memorial service.Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Care Hospice or the charity of ones choice with envelopes available at the funeral home.