Elden E. Brooks, 89, of Davenport, passed away at his home on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 1 pm, Friday, February 8, 2013 in Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be from 4– 8 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013, at the mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Quad Cities Animal Welfare in Milan. Online condolences may be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.
He was born in Cloud County, Kan. on July 28, 1923, a son of William and Charlotte Brooks. Elden was in the Army Air Forces and stationed at a base in Hobbs, New Mexico when a young lady from Davenport sent him a letter and a box of candy. This young lady worked at M.L. Parkers in the candy department with an Air Forces buddy’s girlfriend. The young lady was Shirley Bohnsack. After corresponding for a short time, she and her girlfriend took buses to New Mexico to see Elden and his Air Force buddy. Shirley returned to Davenport to start planning on her Feb.10, 1945 wedding to Elden. A letter and a box of candy started a love affair that lasted all these years.
Elden worked as a helper on construction of the Davenport Alcoa Works. Once the plant was built, he hired into the plant itself as a production worker. He joined the ABGW Union. Later the ABGW joined with the United Steelworkers of America Union. Elden was proud to serve as a Union Safety Rep and after retirement from ALCOA and the Steelworkers he volunteered with U.S. W. Local 105 at campaign times with his daughter, Sandra. Elden was a member of the ALCOA Retirees Club and Steelworker’s retiree group, S.O.A.R. 11-4.
Elden was a lifetime member of the Davenport Moose Club and served proudly as Sgt. of Arms for their competitive Initiation Ritual Team for several years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 26 of Davenport. Elden was a member of the Davenport Dad’s Club when the first Dad’s Club Girl’s Softball teams were formed at elementary and junior high levels. He had a lot of fun as coach and as an assistant coach for Dad’s Club Girl’s Softball at Washington Elementary and Sudlow Jr. High schools.
Elden and Shirley are survived by one daughter, Sandra (Robert) Gonzalez of Milan, and three grandchildren – Melanie Newman and Amy Balluff of San Antonio, TX and Charles (Ashley) Balluff of Davenport. Elden was very proud of his seven great granddaughters, Taylor Newman, Samantha Villarreal, Danielle Villarreal, Alicia Villarreal, and Katie McVay all of San Antonio, TX and Makynzee and Mariah Balluff of Davenport. Elden is survived by a nephew, Wayne Vignery of Kansas; and many great-nieces and great nephews; sisters-in-law, Margarite Borchers, Jeanette Hoffman, Jackie Bohnsack; brother-in-law, Bobby (Jeanne) Bohnsack and many nieces and nephews from the Bohnsack family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, on Dec. 26, 2011; infant grandsons, Matthew Henning, Robert and William Balluff and infant granddaughter, Melissa Balluff; mother and father; brothers, Lyle, Melvin and Norris; sister, Opha Vignery, father and mother-in-law, Harry and Malonie Bohnsack; brothers-in-law, Henry (Jerry) Bohnsack, Carl Borchers, Allan Hoffman, Vernon Bohnsack; sisters-in-law, Arlene (John) Jorgensen and Harriette (Arlan) Moeller; brother-in-law, Vernon Bohnsack and nieces, Kim Bohnsack and Emily Bohnsack.
Thanks to all of the residents and staff at Garner Place for their love and friendship. Elden enjoyed playing bunco, phase 10 and bingo with all the ladies. Thanks also to the Beacon of Hope Hospice for their loving care.
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