Eldon Boomgarden

Eldon E. Boomgarden, 78 of rural German Valley, passed away Monday, October 24, 2011 surrounded by his family after an extended illness. He was born on November 29, 1932 to Luther and Alma (Ring) Boomgarden. He graduated from Genoa Kingston High School in 1950 and served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. He married Joyce Austin in Genoa on September 25, 1955. He and his wife farmed in Belvidere and in 1967 moved to German Valley were they farmed until his retirement. Eldon served as Master on the Leaf River and Ogle County Pomona Grange and he was a member of the National Grange. He drove school bus for Leaf River and Forreston School districts and charter bus for Dixon Meyer. Eldon is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce; seven children, Gail (Scott) McWorthy of Freeport, Judy Brown of Freeport, Barb Engelbarts of Forreston, Chuck (Tammy) Boomgarden of Freeport, Dale (Debbie) Boomgarden of Stillman Valley, George (Angie) Boomgarden of Stillman Valley and Kathy (Brad) Witt of Clinton, IA.; eleven grandchildren, six step grandchildren, four great grandchildren, three step great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and his very special dog, Missy. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Harold and Verna Austin, brother Menno, sisters Alvina Bunger and Viola Bell Larson, and son in law Greg Brown. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home Freeport. Rev Lisa Fike will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday 3:30-7:00 p.m. at Burke-Tubbs Freeport. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial has been established in his memory. Visit the guest book at www.burketubbs.com