Eldon E. Gabbard Sr.

Eldon E. Gabbard Sr., age 81, of Hamilton passed away at his home on Monday, June 6, 2011. He was born in Hamilton on March 25, 1930 the son of Hugh and Stella (Oakes) Gabbard. Eldon proudly served in the Army and Navy, retiring from the Air Force, after 21 years of dedicated service. He was a Vietnam veteran. He also retired as a drum operator from Champion International, and later was employed as a security officer at Ohio Casualty. Eldon loved to read and he enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, fishing and camping. He was member of the United Pentecostal Faith. On December 20, 1958 at Southern Hills Baptist Church, Hamilton, he married Rita Richmond.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Gabbard of Hamilton; his sons, Eldon Gabbard Jr. of Hamilton, Tom (Amy) Gabbard of Ross, and Dan Gabbard of Hamilton; 3 grandchildren, Emily (Mike) Ippolito of Fairfield Twp., Katie Gabbard and Evan Gabbard both of Ross; a great-grandaughter, Isabella Ippolito; brothers, Keith (Jamie) Gabbard of Florida and Darrel (Brenda) Gabbard of Dublin, Ohio; his step mother, Oskie Gabbard of Fairfield; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Leroy) Gabbard of Millville; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Ave., on Friday, June 10th at 1:00PM with Rev. Darrel Gabbard, his brother officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Somerville Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati. Eldon’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to family doctor and friend, Dr. Greg Savage, Dr. Edward Crane, and the staff of Hospice of Cincinnati for their care and concern.