Best Neighbor ever!!

Our sweet dear neighbor, Eldon Schoonover, went home to his beloved wife, Wednesday night. We have lived here for almost 3 yrs this July and have grown to love Eldon tremendously!

Top 10 thoughts of Eldon...

1. Master craftsman, he was always in his garage working with wood. I remember walking over to see what he was working on, I walked into the garage and was amazed to see, I swear at the time, over 20 Grandfather clocks lined up on one side of his garage. He told me they were for his grandchildren. They were amazing!!

2. Eldon loves his wife. From the very first day we met Eldon we knew just how much he loves his wife. Evelyn passed away in 2000, he has missed her from the day he lost her. He never had anything bad to say.. he praised her as a mother and friend. He longed to be with her again.

3. Candy man. Eldon seemed to always have a treat no matter what time of day it was or how close it was to dinner. I loved that about him!

4. Fisherman. Ron and Eldon had a few fishing trips together at Scofield Lake. Eldon would go fishing about every weekend he could. He would always catch his limit and would bring fish home to share. I don't think he ate the fish he liked catching them and then pass them out to others.

5. "Pull up a chair" Eldon loved to sit outside when the weather was nice. When Em and I would see that he was out during the day we would venture over and have a great time trying to get Emmie to sit on his lap. She didn't quite know what to think of that..... alot of tears from her and a few laughs from mom and Eldon. He always said.. " One day you'll like me Emmie."

6. Giver!! I got a phone call one from Eldon asking me if I could use some hangers. He told me that after 7 years he decided to pack up Evelyn things and he didn't need those hangers anymore. He kept our wood pile full with all his scrap wood and gave us Peonies (flowers).

7. Lessons. Eldon had the boys come over and pick up walnuts from his tree. He told me it's good to teach our children the value of work... I totally agree, but I also told Eldon the power of service is even more important... he told me... no I will be rewarding them... I believe he paid them each a dollar.

8. Happy thoughts. Eldon told Ron and me just how much he loved watching the boys play.He said it reminded him of his family. Jake always seem to hit his woofle ball over to the back of his yard. I would apologize to Eldon and he said... "No need, they can play all they want. The drive way is a great place for scooters and bikes..." My boys took to that fast!

9. Story teller. Eldon had a story for everything. I loved sitting and listening to him tell stories of the house I live in. He bought this house along time ago for 13,000.00 and sold it for 45,000.00. He pulled out the title to his house and property lines and where his house was, there used to be a horse ranch. He built his home, the 3 neighbors across the street, his daughters home next door to him and his sons home which is next door to me. He told me about every family that lived in our home, about the old coal shoot, about the money that was found, ect. Cool stories!

10. True! Eldon is a convert. He has never missed a day of church. He and his family had there seat in the chapel, the last bench in the back row. His calling was to find families in the ward to be door greeters at the door. I could tell in his voice that he loved that calling. When he would call us to be at the door, there was excitement and gratitude in his voice for the willingness to serve. Who could say no to that? I know he loves the Lord.

Our family will miss our cute neighbor

and all the good times

we shared with him on his front porch.