John "Eldon" Reading

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Waters Funeral Chapel, 500 S. Main Street in Vandalia 63382.
Officiating will be: Rev. Dawn Marie Turner.
Music provided by: Kevin Morris - soloist; Barbara Elzea - pianist.
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Neal Beatty, Jim Burgmeyer, Russel Reading, Derrick Reading, Brady Reading and Jerry Bradford. Honorary pallbearers: Ed Jennings, Marty Nation, Jim Beiter, Paul McDowell, Tapley McCune, P. D. Reid, Melvin Epperson and Dale Keller.

John "Eldon" Reading passed away unexpectedly early Saturday afternoon, April 23, 2011 at the family's farm south of Curryville, Missouri. Eldon had lived most all his life in the rural Vandalia and Curryville areas. After school, Eldon worked for Paul Goodman Excavation until 1971 when he went on to start his own excavation and hauling business with his wife Kay at his side. He was very well known for his hard work and honesty, to him a handshake was a signed contract. Eldon enjoyed many local community activities. He was the vice president of Mt. Aire Church Board, an active member of R.S.V.P. and really enjoyed going to the local coffee shops and swapping stories with his many friends and he also helped out at the monthly fish fry at the Vandalia VFW Post. Eldon and Kay loved to travel with their good friends Jim and Carole Burgmeyer. They enjoyed going to the Old Threshers events, Blue Grass and Country Music Shows and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Born: July 9, 1939 in rural Ralls County, Missouri the son of Paul Oliver and Doris Clay (Keller) Reading.

Married: Glenna Kay Graves on November 12, 1966 in Vandalia; she survives at the family's home.

Survivors include: wife, Kay at the family's home; two sons: Derrick and wife, Mitzi Reading of Vandalia; Brady and wife, Mary Reading of Olmstead, Kentucky; one daughter, Kerri and husband, Jerry Bradford of Vandalia; three brothers: Dwayne Reading of Bowling Green; Edward and wife, Jan Reading of Curryville and Howard and wife, Karen Reading of Vandalia; seven grandchildren: Ashley Perkins, Nathaniel Kinder, Lindsey Nitcher, Emily Reading, Wyatt Reading, Cole Reading and Joe McCormick; one great-grandson, Nathan Kinder; also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: parents; infant sister, Martha Reading; one sister, Evelyn Reid; one grandson, John Bryant Reading.

Memorials are encouraged to the donor's choice.