Aug. 17, 1923 - Sept. 14, 2011
NILES - Irving Lester Eldred, 88, of Christiana Drive in Niles, died at 7:38 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at Buchanan Meadows Living Center in Buchanan after a lengthy illness. Mr. Eldred was born August 17, 1923, in Cedar Springs, Michigan, to Rev. Emmet C. Eldred and Cris Sears (Lamson) Eldred. He graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1942. He earned his Bachelor's degree and Master's degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Mr. Eldred was an industrial arts teacher for 30 years, first at Lincoln Park High School, near Detroit, and from 1955 to 1983 at Niles Senior High School where he was instrumental in developing the auto mechanics department. Irving was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Niles. He was also a member of the Buchanan Moose Lodge #449, and was involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Niles for several years. On July 1, 1972, in Niles, Irving married Marion M. (Stambaugh) Hayden, who survives. Also surviving are step-daughters, Marjorie (Rev. Gene) Carey of Parma Heights, Ohio, and Nancy (Dennis) Comfort, Buchanan; a stepson, Charles (Judy) Hayden of Parkland, Florida; and a sister-in-law, Janet Eldred of Portage, Michigan. He is also survived by six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Grant H. Eldred, who died May 25, 2005, and a half sister, Alice E. (Eldred) Jeffers, who died May 6, 2002. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, September 18, at Halbritter Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, Niles, with funeral services being held at Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Grant Street, Niles, at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 19, with Dr. Anthony Tomasino, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, and Rev. Gene Carey, pastor of Parma (Ohio) Christian Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Sumnerville. Memorials may be made directly to Grace United Methodist Church or to Hospice at Home of Buchanan, 4017 Chamberlain Road.
