Person:Eldon Dew (1)

Obituary

Eldon Handford Dew, son of Cecil Dew and Leila Post Dew, a resident of San Diego for 53 years, passed away July 17, 2015, at home with loved ones at his side. He was 94 years old, weeks away from his 95th birthday. Eldon was a loving brother, husband, grandfather, even a great great grandfather! Born in Glouster, Ohio, Eldon grew up on a farm and attended the local school. He left school after the 9th grade to care for his siblings after his mother unexpectedly passed away. He decide at a young age that farming wasn't for him and in his late teens, with the approval from his father, moved to Marion, Ohio, where he began work as an apprentice mechanic. He joined the Army the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed and served as Chief Warrant Officer for the 261st Ordnance Battalion. His specialty was Armament Machinist. He received the Good Conduct medal, WWII Victory medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal, and the American Campaign medal with 2 Stars. He served during the Battle of the Bulge under General Patton. While serving in Belgium, Eldon met Renee Honorez. She taught courses in French and Eldon was asked, by his commanding officer, to take her class to brush up on his French. As the war came to an end Renee told Eldon she couldn't live without him. They received permission to be married and soon after they were reunited in Ohio. Eldon went back to the job he left before he had entered the military. He worked at several different companies before moving to San Diego and landing a job at International Harvester, which is now Solar Turbine. He started working at Solar in 1962. His first day on the job he met Hazel Marshall and she showed him around the plant and they became co-workers and friends. In 1978/79 both Eldon and Hazel lost their beloved spouses. Co-workers at Solar started matching making but they decided they were okay doing their own thing. In 1980 they were married. The Marshall family gained another wonderful Grandfather. Eldon never had children but he was welcomed into the big Italian family. He went from no children to two step-daughters, their husbands, 6 grandchildren, and over the years 26 great grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Eldon and Hazel spent many glorious years traveling across the United States, Canada and Mexico. They loved each other dearly and enjoyed 31 years of married life. Eldon shared that the most important thing to remember in a relationship is "your partners needs are just as great as your own" and "to never leave the house without saying I love you." Eldon shared stories with us about his youth and growing up on a farm, the joys of growing up with his siblings, whom he loved, the hardships of living through the depression, losing his mother at a young age, the love he had for his grandparents, stories about serving his country, and so much more. He was an honest man, a hard worker, compassionate. A son, brother, beloved husband to two amazing women, a cherished Grandfather. He was loved and will truly be missed. Eldon is predeseased by his parents Cecil and Leila Dew, his brothers Ellis, Eston, and Thomas, and his sister Donna Mae. He is survived by his sisters Mona Jean, Marjorie Alice, and his big Italian family.

Funeral Service: JUL 30. 02:00 PM, The Historic Salli Lynn Chapel, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA, US

Cemetery Details: Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Ave, Dan Diego, CA, 92113

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Dew, Eldon, in Ohio, United States. Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003
   2 Aug 1920.

   Perry County, Ohio. ELDON HANDORD DEW, b. 2 Aug 1920, s/o Cecil R. Dew, 25, b. in Burr Oak, Ohio, and Lelia Gartrude [Gertrude] Post, 21, b. in Hatfield, Ohio.

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Online obituary.
3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Dew, Elson H., in United States. National Archives and Records Administration (ARC # 1263923). World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946. (2002)
   2 Aug 1942.

   ELDON H. DEW, at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. White, citizen, b. in 1920 in Ohio; educated through grammar school; civilian occupation = skilled mechanics and repairmen, motor vehicles; single without dependents; military rank of private; army branch = Ordnance Department, Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Mem --O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status.

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Dew, Cecil R., in Perry, Ohio, United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   1940.

   Monroe Township, Perry County, Ohio. HOH: Cecil R. Dew, 45, married [no spouse in household]; f/o ELDON DEW, 18, b. abt 1920 in Ohio; Eston, 18, Ellis, 16, Mona Jean, 14, Donna Mae, 12.