In Loving Memory, Edward “Hank” Eldridge

Edward Henry Eldridge, of Tullahoma, Tennessee passed away due to cancer at age 74 on January 27, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

Edward Eldridge, “Hank”, was born on June 13, 1934 to Edward Elson and Ivalee Brown in Sewanee, Tennessee, as the youngest of 10 children. He grew up in Monteagle, Tennessee, went to school in Tennessee and left home to serve his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Eldridge was a brilliant and talented man. As an avionic and electrical engineer, he was recognized as one of the best in his field. During his career, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Air Research, Keystone, Motorola and Siemens-Furnas. He designed electrical systems in products and aircraft in use today. He had a musical gift and could pick up and play almost any instrument. He most loved playing the steel guitar and was a mover and a shaker in the country music and steel guitar community. He also loved sports. He was an avid golfer and a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the University of Tennessee Volunteers. In addition, Ed was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma, and was a 32nd degree Mason in the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois, Empire #126 in Pekin, Illinois.

Henry, as he was known among many of his family members, was preceded in death by his parents, son Terry Eldridge, daughter Debra Eldridge, five sisters and three brothers. He will be missed by his wife of 36 years, Barbara Eldridge, sister Bess Cain, sons Alan and Joe Eldridge, granddaughters Pamela Smith and Sarah Smith, and great granddaughters Kalea, Danielle, Isabelle, Gabrielle, and Katrena, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mr. Eldridge will be remembered on February 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home in Pekin, Illinois, with visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 4722 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL 61614.