Ronald Joel Eldred, 79, of Terre Haute, passed away Friday, October 2, 2015 in Union Hospital. He was born in Terre Haute to Lester Arnold Eldred and Ruth Maxine Rennels Eldred on July 22, 1936. Ron is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Lana Wollerman Eldred; nine children, Christina (Terrence) Eisenbrandt, Terre Haute; Gregory (Kimberly) Eldred, Westfield, Indiana; Marc (Stacey) Eldred, Terre Haute; Michael Eldred, Terre Haute; Elizabeth (Sean) Maher, Basehor, Kansas; Eric (Melissa) Eldred, Terre Haute; John (Lori) Eldred, Terre Haute; Catherine (Bryson) Mitchell, Terre Haute; and Anna (Aaron) King, Terre Haute; 39 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Richard (Patricia) Eldred, Terre Haute; Daniel (Cherri) Walker, Terre Haute and Robert Walker, Largo, Florida; a sister, Linda Eldred, Terre Haute; a sister-in-law, Linda Bunte; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ron attended Glenn High School graduating in 1955 where he was a star athlete in basketball and baseball. He attended Indiana State University for a brief time before enlisting in the United States Air Force from 1955-1959, serving as a tactical instructor. Upon returning home, he re-enrolled at Indiana State University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies in 1963 and a Master's degree in 1965. He taught social studies at Marshall High School at Marshall, IL for two years and coached Junior High basketball. Ron taught for 13 years at Danville Community College (DCC) in Danville, IL, serving as Chairman of the Social Studies Department. While at DCC, he was a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana. He also taught in the WED Program at St. Mary-of -the-Woods College. Later, he became a businessman associated with Winslow Scale Company and Hane Training Company in Terre Haute. Ron was a long-time member of St. Patrick Church and enjoyed teaching religion at St. Patrick Middle School. Upon retiring, he taught religion and history as a volunteer working diligently with Monsignor Larry Moran to establish John Paul II High School where he also served as principal. Until recently, he could be found home schooling his grandchildren in the Seton Home Studies, with particular interest in religious education. Ron collaborated with Monsignor Moran to write and produce 399 broadcasts for Catholic Radio, which is associated with Eternal Word Television Network. One of his latest projects was developing a website which can be visited at www.reasonablecatholicism.com . Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1807 Poplar Street, concelebrated by Father Rick Ginther and Monsignor Larry Moran. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 P.M. with a Rosary recited at 8:00 P.M. in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street. The family kindly requests that memorial contributions may be made to WHOJ Catholic Radio, c/o Covenant Network, 4424 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109 or to St. Patrick School, c/o St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1807 Poplar Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803. Funeral information may also be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.
