Obituary for Eldon Simon Wingerd
Eldon Simon Wingerd, age 87, died on June 16, 2021, at St. Luke’s North Hospital in Kansas City, MO.
Eldon Wingerd is survived by his three sons, Greg Wingerd (wife Lisa) of Victorville, CA, Daryl Wingerd (wife Jenny) of Weston, MO, and Loren Wingerd (wife Karen) of Ontario, CA, by twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, and by 8 siblings: Edna Hart of Upland, CA, Roy Wingerd of Albuquerque, NM, Cora Scholz of Northfield, MN, Carol Hastings of Des Moines, IA, Dale Wingerd of Ramona, KS, Fern (Marti) Duke of Elbert, CO, Edgar Wingerd of Westminster, CA, and Miriam Krueger of Ontario, CA. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen (Book) Wingerd, by his brother Paul Wingerd of Altadena, CA, and his brother Titus Wingerd of Abilene, KS.
Eldon was born on April 7, 1934 in Hope, Kansas to parents Asa Bearss Wingerd (born 1902 in Hope, KS) and Ruth Melinda (Bowers) Wingerd (born 1903 in Hope, KS). He graduated from Upland College, CA in 1959 with a B.A. in Education, and earned his California teaching credential. In 1960 Eldon and his wife Mary moved to Morrison, IL where Eldon was the pastor of Morrison Brethren in Christ Church. In 1964 the family relocated to Sunnymead, CA when Eldon accepted the pastorate at Sunnymead Brethren in Christ Church. Eventually, Eldon became a full-time elementary school teacher at Sunnymead Elementary School and completed a MA degree in Guidance and Counseling at Loma Linda University, CA. He taught in the same school district for 42 years, ending his career as a math teacher at Alessandro Middle School. Mary and Eldon lived in California until 2013 when they moved to Weston, Missouri.
Eldon was a dedicated, hard-working man, committed to providing opportunities for his children that went beyond what his own childhood on a Kansas farm had offered. He was passionate about classical music and insisted on top-level professional music training in piano, cello, and violin for his three boys—at great expense and personal sacrifice. He always sought out opportunities on the side that could augment his limited school-teaching income so that his family could have what they needed. He enjoyed the wonders of the natural world and loved spending summer vacations traveling across country with his family, visiting national parks, camping, hiking, and seeing relatives along the way. He was devoted and faithful to his wife Mary and looked out for her needs for almost 61 years of marriage. As a couple, they spent many hours chatting in local coffee shops, traveling to events for children and grandchildren, and providing free babysitting services. Eldon loved reading the Bible, and as his vision failed, listening to the Bible and to online sermons. He placed his hope for eternal life in the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Eldon Simon Wingerd will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. He is laid to rest beside his wife Mary at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near Weston, Missouri.
Eldon Wingerd is survived by his three sons, Greg Wingerd (wife Lisa) of Victorville, CA, Daryl Wingerd (wife Jenny) of Weston, MO, and Loren Wingerd (wife Karen) of Ontario, CA, by twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, and by 8 siblings: Edna Hart of Upland, CA, Roy Wingerd of Albuquerque, NM, Cora Scholz of Northfield, MN, Carol Hastings of Des Moines, IA, Dale Wingerd of Ramona, KS, Fern (Marti) Duke of Elbert, CO, Edgar Wingerd of Westminster, CA, and Miriam Krueger of Ontario, CA. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen (Book) Wingerd, by his brother Paul Wingerd of Altadena, CA, and his brother Titus Wingerd of Abilene, KS.
Eldon was born on April 7, 1934 in Hope, Kansas to parents Asa Bearss Wingerd (born 1902 in Hope, KS) and Ruth Melinda (Bowers) Wingerd (born 1903 in Hope, KS). He graduated from Upland College, CA in 1959 with a B.A. in Education, and earned his California teaching credential. In 1960 Eldon and his wife Mary moved to Morrison, IL where Eldon was the pastor of Morrison Brethren in Christ Church. In 1964 the family relocated to Sunnymead, CA when Eldon accepted the pastorate at Sunnymead Brethren in Christ Church. Eventually, Eldon became a full-time elementary school teacher at Sunnymead Elementary School and completed a MA degree in Guidance and Counseling at Loma Linda University, CA. He taught in the same school district for 42 years, ending his career as a math teacher at Alessandro Middle School. Mary and Eldon lived in California until 2013 when they moved to Weston, Missouri.
Eldon was a dedicated, hard-working man, committed to providing opportunities for his children that went beyond what his own childhood on a Kansas farm had offered. He was passionate about classical music and insisted on top-level professional music training in piano, cello, and violin for his three boys—at great expense and personal sacrifice. He always sought out opportunities on the side that could augment his limited school-teaching income so that his family could have what they needed. He enjoyed the wonders of the natural world and loved spending summer vacations traveling across country with his family, visiting national parks, camping, hiking, and seeing relatives along the way. He was devoted and faithful to his wife Mary and looked out for her needs for almost 61 years of marriage. As a couple, they spent many hours chatting in local coffee shops, traveling to events for children and grandchildren, and providing free babysitting services. Eldon loved reading the Bible, and as his vision failed, listening to the Bible and to online sermons. He placed his hope for eternal life in the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Eldon Simon Wingerd will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. He is laid to rest beside his wife Mary at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near Weston, Missouri.