Arvel Eugene Eldridge, 86, passed away peacefully at home in Loves Park on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. He was born August 14, 1937 in Bono, AR to Arvel and Mary (Jones) Eldridge. He was the original founder of Eldridge Roofing Company, founded 1957.
Arvel was very involved in the community, acting as the president for the Loves Park Optimist Club, he also was an honorary veteran through his volunteer work with the VFW. Arvel was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, camping, and homesteading. Often his house looked like a zoo, with a pet skunk, raccoons, pheasants, and peacocks. He and his good friend John Mullen co-discovered the only recorded golden yellow bullfrog, which is displayed in the Burpee Museum and was featured on tv shows such as Amazing Animals. Arvel loved to travel, most notably his trips to Casper, Wyoming and the trip he took to Hawaii with his wife that he would always talk about.
He married the love of his life Margaret (Burrows) Eldridge on June 7, 1956.
He is survived by his children, Mary Delrio, Dorothy (Rick) Hagerman, Margaret “Suzie” (Douglas) Smith, and Arvel (DeDe) Eldridge; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, his sister, Mary Raney, sister-in-law Lois Eldridge, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Eldridge and his siblings, Shirley Broyles and Floyd Eldridge.
Family and friends are invited to attend Arvel's Visitation Sunday, September 10 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115. Additional Visitation will be held on Monday, September 11 from 1:00 pm until the time of Funeral Service at 2:00 pm at Sunset Funeral Home. Luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com for the Eldridge family.
