Eldon Delos Rader, born April 2, 1929 in Parkerville, Kansas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many, passed away on October 16, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia. He was 97.

Eldon graduated from high school in Council Grove, Kansas, and moved to Ottawa, Kansas. While working at the local A&P grocery store, he met a young lady who would later admit that she was impressed by his neatly pressed shirts. That encounter turned into a 73-year loving partnership when he married Edith June Carter on December 28, 1952. Eldon and Edith made Ottawa their home, raising their three children surrounded by love, faith and music.

In 1966 Eldon and Edith built their home on South Mulberry in Ottawa. The neighborhood was full of young families and Eldon was a second dad to all of the kids. He even made ice hockey goals so the boys could play on Rock Creek when it would freeze.

Eldon worked for the city of Ottawa, introducing computer billing for the water and light department at a time when computers took up a whole room. He retired in 1992 to travel and enjoy time with family and friends.

Eldon was a supporter of Ottawa University, Edith’s alma mater. He and Edith welcomed new students to the campus on move-in day for many years. Together, they supported the OU music department, even traveling to Europe with the choir. Eldon attended basketball and football games, and often took the short cut through the woods on his riding lawnmower to watch softball games. Eldon made the ceremonial mace that is carried at the University’s commencements. His loyalty to OU was recognized with an honorary membership in the alumni association.

Eldon could often be found in his workshop. Using wood from walnut trees that he cut from Edith’s family farm, he handcrafted many family treasures, including baby cradles, grandmother clocks, doll houses, foot lockers, Christmas ornaments, pens, and so much more.

Eldon enjoyed fishing, golf, tennis, and church-league softball. He loved to travel with friends and family. He and Edith visited nearly every Army fort that their daughter Lisa and son-in-law Frank were posted to, even South Korea. He was a member of Ottawa Kiwanis Club (past president) and Masonic lodge, and he proudly served in the Army National Guard.

In 2022, Eldon gave up mowing the lawn and he and Edith opted for maintenance-free living in Overland Park, Kansas. In January of this year, they moved to Columbus, Georgia, to be closer to Lisa and Frank.

Eldon was a devoted Christian and a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Ottawa, Kansas. He was a friend to all, never met a stranger, quick witted, and always had a joke to tell.

Eldon is survived by his wife, Edith, daughters, Lisa (Frank) and Diane (Steve), daughter-in-law Rebecca, grandchildren, Kristin, Sarah (Chris), Frank, Mark, Julianne (David), Matthew, Kevin (Leah), and Amy (Tony), and great-grandchildren, Nathan, William, Vivian, Sloan, and Henry.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth, brother Keith, and son Scott.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Condolences for the family may be sent to McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907. Memorial donations may be given to the Ottawa Scholarship Fund at Ottawa University (www.ottawa.edu/makeagift) or to a cause close to your heart.