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Obituary for Emmett Merrill Eldred
Emmett Merrill Eldred of Waterville, Vermont, age 80, passed away peacefully at home on April 14, 2016.
He was born on March 1, 1936, at the family farm in Belvidere, Vermont, to Maurice Eldred, Sr. and Hersa Eldred. Hersa's journal recorded that this was Emmett’s true birthday though he was born in a leap year.
He married Leona Lavallee in Winooski, Vermont, on October 20, 1962. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, as well as by children Tina Koonz (Curt), Keith (Janet), Michael (Jackie), Kimberly Hanson (Herman); grandchildren Bethany and husband Ryan, Christopher, Jacob, Ben, Robert and wife Bobbi Jo, Ethan and wife Grace, Emmett and fiancée Marissa, Brittany and husband Philip, Jr., Steven and fiancée Jacqueline, Tyler and wife Ashley, Adam and partner Emma; great-grandchildren Jasmine, Amelia, Nicholas, Bella, Alivia, Brook, Evan and Levi.
He was preceded in death by siblings Leoda and husband Ray, Jr., Kermet, Sr., and wife Beverly, Maurice, Jr. and wife Lydia, Joycelyn and husband Kenneth, and Ethelyn, as well as by brothers-in-law Larry, Sr., Henry and Oscar and by sister-in-law Jackie. He is survived by siblings Shirley and Greeta and by sister-in-law Claire and by brother-in-law Earl, Sr.
Mr. Eldred graduated from Belvidere Central School and Cambridge High School and briefly attended the University of Vermont. He was a member of the Vermont Air National Guard, 158th Air Base Squadron, from 1958-1964.
He was employed at the asbestos mine in Lowell, Vermont (GAF and then VAG) for thirty-four years, beginning as a laborer in the quarry and ending as the clerk in the mill. He was also employed by Lamoille County Mental Health before retiring.
Mr. Eldred was known for his calm demeanor, attention to detail and devotion to his faith and his family. A final tribute to his wife were his words "She's an angel," and they lived out the scripture "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He never missed a church event or family event. He was a founding member of Mountain View Tabernacle in Belvidere, Vermont, and served there in countless ways over five decades. He was also instrumental in the continuation of worship in the church in Belvidere Junction after 2001, helping it become home to the United Christian Society.
He was a fan and student of baseball, birds and business. He cherished his memories and his countless relatives and friends.
Visiting hours will be at Mountain View Tabernacle on Monday, April 18, from 5-8 pm. A celebration of Mr. Eldred’s life will be officiated by Reverend David Levandusky at the United Christian Society (the Junction Church), 6653 Vt. Route 109, Belvidere, at 11 am on Tuesday, April 19.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain View Tabernacle, P.O. Box 53, Waterville, Vermont, 05492, or United Christian Society, c/o Joyce Greene, 856 Post Road, Craftsbury, 05826-9870. Assisting the family is Lucien Hayes of Heald Funeral Home, St. Albans, Vermont.
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