IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Eldon Pankratz

Graveside services for Eldon R. Pankratz, 87, Hillsboro, who passed away June 3 at his home, will be 9 a.m. Thursday at Tabor Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Newton.

Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. at Garden Community Church, rural Moundridge.

Born Dec. 30, 1937, in Goessel to Henry D. and Olga (Schmidt) Pankratz, he graduated from Goessel High School with the class of 1956.

He was a lifelong farmer and later had a successful second career, which brought him much joy, in trailer sales.

Eldon was instrumental in starting Marion County Rural Water District No. 4, where he served as chairman for many years. He recently received the Lifetime Conservation Award from Marion County Conservation Services.

He was united in marriage June 16, 1957, to Ardith Schmidt. She preceded him in death April 2, 2001. Eldon later married Eva (Driedger) Flaming on Jan. 7, 2006. She survives at home.

Other survivors include sons Kevin (and wife Dooz) Pankratz of Wichita and Terry (and wife Kandis) Pankratz of Hillsboro; daughters Cindy (and husband Kevin) Jantzen of Wichita and Kristie (and husband Phil) Diller of Hesston; stepdaughter Angela (and husband Keith) Heide of Hutchinson; stepsons Merle (and wife Michelle) Flaming of Marion, and Steve (and wife Kim) Flaming of Kansas City; sister Ruth Ann Penner of Hillsboro; 19 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren with four on the way.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Ardith Pankratz, and sisters Evelyn Pankratz, Betty Ratzlaff, and Joyce Bergen.

His greatest joy in life was his family and his faith. Eldon was a longtime member of Tabor Mennonite Church and was recently attending Garden Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge KS 67107.