Eldon W. Mccall

Eldon William McCall, the son of Claude and Florence Miller McCall, was born on March 7, 1934, on a ranch in southeastern Nebraska, near Pawnee City. He grew to adulthood on the ranch where he learned how to work. After graduating from high school, he attended Peru State college where he played football and ran track. He received his B. A. Degree in 1957 and continued his studies at Southwestern State College, where he earned his Masters Degree in 1967.
On June 5, 1954, he was united in marriage to Ruth Bell in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Two sons were born to this union: Rod and Michael. After their marriage, in addition to teaching, Eldon began to farm with his father-in-law, Delmer Bell. The family raised hogs and registered Polled Hereford cattle. The family farm was always part of his life.
Eldon began his teaching career in 1957 at Waterville, Kansas, then came to Harlan, Iowa, in 1959 where he taught in the Harlan Middle School as a math teacher. During his teaching career, developing young athletes was very important to him. Teaching the fundamentals was instrumental in the development of sound athletic performance. His interest in athletics led him in the coaching arena where he coached junior high football and junior high track and later girls high school track. He served as athletic director at Harlan Middle School throughout his career.
After retiring from thirty-eight years of teaching in the Harlan school system in 1995, Eldon began raising Classic Shetland Ponies with his two sons.
After Ruth died on June 12, 1986, Eldon continued to make his home in Harlan and continued teaching and coaching at the junior high level.
Eldon and Barbara Kluver were united in marriage on December 16, 1987, in Harlan, Iowa. After their marriage, Barbara and Eldon continued to live in Harlan.
Eldon devoted much of his time as a member of the Shelby County Fair Board as Secretary, and on the Board of Association of Iowa Fairs. He also served on the board of Iowa High School Athletic Directors. He was an avid Nebraska football fan.
Eldon died at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 30, 2011, having attained the age of seventy-seven years, three months and twenty-three days. In addition to his wife Ruth, Eldon was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Barbara McCall of Harlan, Iowa; his sons Rod McCall and his wife Jacquie of Underwood, Iowa, Mike McCall and his wife Connie of Topeka, Kansas, step-sons Kevin Kluver and his wife Michelle of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Chad Kluver and his wife Valerie of Portsmouth, Iowa, three grandchildren: Jessica, Allison, and Ashley McCall; five step-grandchildren: Ryan and Alex Kluver, and Katelyn, David, and Matthew Kluver, three brothers, Gerald McCall and his wife Carolyn of Lincoln, Nebraska, Ross McCall and his wife Carol of Ashland, Nebraska, and Wade McCall and his wife Paulette of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, other relatives and many friends.
Pastor Steven Chellew officiated the 10:30 AM funeral service on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers were Bob English, Cliff Tamm, Al Simdorn, Curt Bladt, Gene Alvine, George Phelps, Ross McCall, and Bill Hosack. Serving as casket bearers were Mike McCall, Rod McCall, Chad Kluver, Kevin Kluver, Gerald McCall, and Wade McCall. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers,
the family requests memorials
be made to:

Eldon McCall Memorial Fund
c/o Barbara McCall
3023 Country Club View
Harlan, Iowa 51537



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