Obituary of Ronald Eldridge

Ronald Wayne Eldridge was born to Mildred Chronister and Harry Eldridge in Saint Louis, MO, on June 9,1955. He was the youngest of four children, being the only boy. He loved the mountains and his home here in Doniphan.

 

Ronald was a man of many talents. He graduated high school and joined the Army. In his younger years, he built cabinets, drove truck across country, then went into the oilfields in Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, etc. all over the United States. When the oilfield went down, he used his electrician license to work at a candy company in Oklahoma City, OK. But the job he loved best was the last one he held, which was a Riverboat Captain going up and down the Saint Louis River and many others from New York to Texas.

In 2014, Ronald had a massive stroke where he lost touch with many friends and family. In April 2015, he moved to Oklahoma with friends to get back on his feet. It took him some time, but in 2017, he moved back to Doniphan, MO to live on his own. He was reunited with his ex-wife, Debra Scallion. In February of 2023, he became ill with a backache where doctors discovered cancer. He remained in the hospital until March 17, 2023. He then went home to his house in Doniphan where he passed away on Saturday March 25, 2023, at home surrounded by family and friends.

Ronald was proceeded in death by his parents, Harry and Mildred Eldridge; sister, Dorothy; and wife, Debra Scallion.

Surviving are two sisters Judella Hoock of Smithton, IL and Charlotte Coursey of Haughton, LA; four children, William Scallion of Doniphan, Bobbie Joe Scallion and Jack Keas of Pocahontas, AR, Amanda and Sonja Scallion of Doniphan, MO, and Nicky and Cindie Sales of Chickasha, OK; as well as many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

 

The family will have a private memorial at a later date.