Eldon Edwin Kiehler

February 23, 1925 – January 19, 2016

Eldon passed away peacefully with his son Chris Kiehler and his friend John Byerlein at his side.

Eldon is survived by his sister Beverly and her husband Phil Arnold of Pentwater, MI; his son, Christopher and his wife Kimberly Kiehler, his two Grandchildren, Kayleen Adare Kiehler and Christopher C. Kiehler, II “CJ” of North Tustin, CA; his sister-in-law Rose Ann Poyzer, and his Niece Barbara Lou Goodman of Hawaii. Eldon was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 59 ½ years, Mary Lou Kiehler in 2011, and his brother Fritz Kiehler in 1998.

Eldon was an incredibly warm, kind and generous gentleman, with the ability to engage with everyone he met on a very personal level.

He was a Navy Veteran, a patriotic, loving family man, with a terrific sense of humor. He had an immense love of Family, God, and Country.

Eldon was a proud member of the American Legion, Post #291, the Oasis Sailing Club, the Elks Club #1767, the 552 Club in support of Hoag Hospital, the Frank E. Evans DD 754 Association, the Amigo Viejo’s, and he was a member of the Goof-Offers Club of Newport Beach!

Eldon attended Notre Dame University, Valparaiso University, and graduated from the University of Michigan, with a degree in Engineering. In between, Eldon served in the US Navy for 3 years as a Lt. JG, on the USS Frank E. Evans Destroyer, and later on the USS Rutland troop transport ship, where his proudest moments were returning U.S. Serviceman safely home to the United States.

He was extremely successful in his career of designing, engineering, and selling packaging machinery to all facets of the food industry. He loved his chosen career, and excelled at it. Hardly a day went by without Eldon sharing a moment to reminiscence about one of his friends in the industry.

Once he retired, his love turned to sailing with the Oasis Sailing Club, and his many friends in that fantastic organization. He enjoyed many days sailing off the coast of Newport Beach with his fellow crew members.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Orange County Rescue Mission in his name would be appreciated.

The Service is scheduled for Friday, January 29, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 1441 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA, with a reception immediately following at the American Legion located at 215 15th St., Newport Beach, CA.