Eldon L. ‘Van’ Van Etten, 84, died September 21, 2020, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born March 20, 1936, in Anthony, to Clyde L. and Sarah ‘Dollie’ (Richardson) Van Etten.
Eldon graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1954, and Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO, in 1957. He was an exterminator for Hawks Pest Control in Wichita and a newspaper carrier for the Hutchinson and Wichita newspapers. Eldon was a member of Westside Baptist Church, and ‘the man behind the scene’ at Westside Baptist Church, taking care of all the churches’ maintenance. He enjoyed working with wood; whether it was woodworking, or adding an addition to his home. Eldon loved to sing and attend Wichita State Shocker basketball games, holding season tickets for many years.
On June 27, 1954, he married Dixie Mae Weiser, in Hutchinson. She died July 22, 2018, after 64 years of marriage.
Eldon is survived by daughters, Deanna Geide (David Blackwood) of Hutchinson, Melody Bosley (Edgar) of South Hutchinson; foster daughter, Kimberly Rayton (Clarence) of Lawrence; foster son, Brian White of Missouri; son-in-law, Larry Parish of Newton; brother, Francis Van Etten (Glendolyn) of Sublette; grandchildren, Stephanie Haviland, Julia Crawford, Anthony Geide, Jenny Dinsmore, Jeffrey Parish, Jessica Geide, Sarah Parish, Todd Bosley, Tyler Bosley, Kayla Rayton, and James Rayton; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Tonya Parish; and brothers, Beryl and Wilbur Van Etten.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2020, at Westside Baptist Church, 400 W. 12th, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tim Adrian officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Westside Baptist Church (for their auditorium remodel) or Hospice of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.