Eldon B. Ridgway

Eldon B. Ridgway, 91, of Gardner, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Monday, August 28, 2017, at the Olathe Hospice House. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, September 1, 2017, at the Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, 23215 W 75th St, Shawnee, Kansas. The family will meet with friends from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Eldon was born Sunday, December 27, 1925 in Appleton City, Missouri, the son of Evelena (Ginter) and Arthur Ridgway. He grew up in Appleton, and after returning from his military service he settled in El Dorado Springs, Missouri. In 1961, Eldon and his wife moved to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1986, he moved to Ottawa, and in 2006, to Gardner. He attended Roscoe High School in Appleton City, Missouri. Eldon served in the United States Army during World War II from June 1944 to May 1946 attaining the rank of private. Eldon was united in marriage to Edith Marie Spruell May 19, 1962 in Grandview, Missouri. She preceded him in death November 6, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Gloria Brewer; and two sisters, Mary Sneethen and Wilma Balchin. Survivors include daughter, Shirley Decker of Gardner; brother, Elza Bly Ridgway of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; sister, Geraldine Spruell also of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; two grandsons, Rick Decker of Olathe and Larry Decker and spouse Tammy Baker of Gardner; four great-grandchildren, Megan Haas, Matthew Decker, Whitney Decker and Ryan Decker; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Eldon was employed as an assemblyman for General Motors in Kansas City, Kansas for twenty-six years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 257 in El Dorado Springs, Missouri and the National Rifle Association. Eldon enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved baseball and football and was a huge fan of the KC Royals and the KC Chiefs. The family suggests memorial contributions to Wounded Warriors c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Eldon’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com