Services for Eldon DuRee Statler (90), of Lawrence, Kansas, will be 2pm, Thursday, January 27, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Eldon passed away on January 20, 2022 surrounded by family at KU Medical Center following a short illness.
Eldon Statler was born on July 6, 1931 to Dennis Lee Statler and Martha Mary (House) Statler on the family’s Jackson County, Missouri farm. In 1941 the family moved to Cord, Arkansas and lived on the Otter Lake Farm. On Christmas day 1945, they packed up and moved to North Lawrence, Kansas.
On July 24, 1952, Eldon married Charlene Naomi Revey in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Eldon worked at Hercules Powder Plant until 1953 when he was drafted into the Army, and served for two years, including 17 months in Germany. He was very proud of his service to the USA. Following his discharge from the Army, Eldon returned to Hercules until 1960. Eldon then leased the Mobil station on 9th & Iowa St., followed by the Skelly station on 9th & Louisiana St. He also worked in the automotive department at Montgomery Wards and at Turner Chevrolet until 1974 when he was called back to Hercules. He retired from Hercules on January 21, 1994. In his retirement, Eldon drove for various car dealerships in Lawrence, picking up and delivering cars until 2017.
Eldon was a member of the Jaycees and the Elks lodge for a number of years. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge and American Legion Post 14. He enjoyed riding motorcycles for many years and was a member of the Wheelsports Club. He enjoyed morning coffees at Dunkin’ Donuts, visiting with friends, going to auctions on the weekends, and driving around the country. Most of all, he loved his family.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Charlene; two daughters, Carolyn Durrant (Ricky) of St. George, UT; Nancy Walker of Lawrence, KS; four granddaughters, Emily Durrant, Leia Durrant, Heidi Gunderson, and Mersadie Walker; two great grandsons, Connor and Payton Gunderson, many nieces and nephews, and sister Cleta (Statler) Wells of Lawrence, KS.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, brother David Stater, and sister Dorothy (Statler) Mason.
A visitation with the family will be Wednesday, January 26 from 5 to 7pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eldon’s name to Douglas County Visiting Nurse Association, sent in care of the funeral home.
The service will be streamed live on Facebook. Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory | Facebook
Sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed Eldon at farm auctions.
When Eldon worked at Montgomery Wards he was always willing
to help me with advise on tire purchases. He will be missed
Eldon
Charlene & the girls,
I will miss “Stick” so much. That was always my nickname for him from our Army days during the Korean War in Germany. I have so many great memories of our time together there and throughout our lifetime friendship. You know he was like a brother to me and I am so thankful for his friendship all these years. We had some great times for sure. I will miss him greatly! Sending you all my love, hugs, and prayers.
Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. One look at that friendly face in his obituary and I instantly remembered him. Was that, perhaps, his engineer’s hat I wore to Dillon’s for M&M’s (wink wink)when you were babysitting? Please know you and all your family are in my thoughts.
You may not be with us anymore old friend,but be assured U are not forgotten. Margaret and I speak many times of our fun at the donut shop and other places,Rest at peace.
So sorry for your loss Charlene and family. Eldon was a great friend and neighbor. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Charlene & Family. May God bless you in your time of loss with all the best memories of Eldon.
Dearest Charlene,
Bob and I are so sorry about Eldon’s passing. He was such a good friend and we had so many good times with you and Eldon at Basket Bee’s and visits to each other’s homes. Lots of wonderful memories!
You will be in our prayers in the days and weeks ahead.
Dear Charlene and Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband, father and Grandfather. I had only met him a few times but he was always kind and sweet . Obvious that he loved you Charlene.♥️
I will keep all of you on my thoughts and prayers as you grieve this life changing loss.
With Deep Sympathy, Sue Glatz
So sorry to hear of Eldon’s passing. Eldon was a great man. Always had a good time laughing and joking with Eldon at the Auctions. He will be missed.
John & Helen Renick
Nancy and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Will keep you in my prayers.
Cheryl Bell
Charlene
Eldon always took time to visit with me at auctions and I appreciate that. We had some good conversations about Lawrence politics. I guess I never realized he was older than I. He always seemed to be in his seventies.
He did live a long life and full of adventure.
David Holroyd
Charlene, Nancy & family—so sorry to hear this news about Eldon. He will forever live in our hearts. I can & will remember his smile & laugh! Love & hugs!
Charlene, I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am. You and Eldon have always been such good friends. I will keep you and the girls in my prayers.
I worked at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant with Eldon. For many years he worked in the same department as my father, Elden Lovelett. My father thought highly of Eldon and always enjoyed the joking and many kindnesses shown by Eldon. He will be missed and remembered fondly.
So many wonderful memories from my childhood, from riding on the back of his motorcycle to jumping on the driveway bell at the gas station and as a adult uncle Eldon teaching Nora to eat strawberries by dipping them in sugar. It is hard to pick just one memory to mention here. He will be missed! We are sending all of you our warmest thoughts and love from Alaska.
Charlene, we are so sorry to hear about Eldon. He was a great man! Hold on to those loving memories!
❤️
Wish I would have been able to meet and spend more time with Eldon and my Missouri family. God Bless Eldon and many condolences Charlene for your loss. Your Washington Family, Duane,Grace and kids
Carolyn please know that your sorority sisters all send our love and prayers during this difficult time.
Uncle Eldon will be missed by so many. I wish aI could be there but prayers & love from Indiana. I love you ,ShaSha Linn
My Uncle Harry Davenport was a close friends w/him & so was my mom, Helen Weeks
charlene-sandy and i wish to extend to you and your family our deepest sympathy for your loss. eldon and i had many good times driving those cars and playing cards. i loved eldon and im going to miss him.
So sorry for your loss! Eldon was a great man and will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to all of you
Charlene and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Eldon and I worked many shifts together at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. We always had a fun time as we solved the world’s problems and ate pie that Charlene made for us. Eldon was a kind man and always had a joke to share, he enjoyed life and had a great love for his family. He will be missed by his Hercules Family.