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
