Eldon Benedict

Eldon F. Benedict, 87, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2015, in Mountain Home, surrounded by his loving family.

Starting out his career on horse-drawn equipment, Eldon went to work at a very early age doing many different jobs that he enjoyed telling stories about. He went on to drive heavy equipment and diesel tanker trucks.

After giving up driving, he used his knowledge and skill as a mechanic to diagnose and repair diesel engines and transmissions in several shops in the Wenatchee, Wash., area for many years. Working on diesel trucks was both his profession and his hobby.

In 1997 Eldon retired, and he and his wife, Janet, moved to Mountain Home to be closer to their daughter and her family. In 1999, after finding that retirement just didn't suit him quite yet, he decided to go back to work full-time on diesel equipment at a shop in Nampa. He retired again seven years later, at the age of 78.

Eldon is survived by Janet, his wife of nearly 65 years, and two of their children, daughter Diane McCune and her fiancé, Larry Cronin, of Mountain Home and son Gary Benedict; by his grandchildren Greg and Judy Benedict, Ryan and Treana McCune, Jillian McCune and her fiancé Jeremy Dodson, Tony Cronin and his fiancé Kelsey Egusquiza, Shiobhan and Monte Dunten; and by his great-grandchildren Gregory Benedict, Lucas Koinzan, Haili and Averi McCune, Hadlee and Lainey Dunten.

He is also survived by his brother, Lester Benedict, and sister, Shirley (Bob) Titchenal, nieces, nephews, as well as a special niece, Debbie Benedict, whose love and care has always been very much appreciated.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas A. and Violet C. Benedict, daughter Donna Benedict Koinzan, son Michael Benedict, grandson Marc Koinzan, brother Clifford (Skip) Benedict, sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Jess Musgrave and sister-in-law Onnolee Benedict.

The family would like to thank the ambulance crews, the entire staff at St. Luke's Elmore and Dawn from Horizon Home Health. We are especially grateful to RN Kim, CAP Tina, Dr. Ziola and everyone who helped Eldon (and us) through the last hours of his life. We will never forget your kindness, caring and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.