Eldon Leon Fortner

Eldon Fortner

CHARLESTON – Eldon L. Fortner, 89, of Charleston, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Charleston Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 21, 2019 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with his graveside funeral with military rites by the combined honor guards of Paul McVey V.F.W. Post #1592 and Charleston American Legion Post #93 immediately following at Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.  Memorials may be directed to the Coles County Animal Shelter.

Eldon was born May 17, 1929 in Charleston, son of Lucien W. and Mary Katherine (Stopher) Fortner.  He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Eldon was a U.S. Army veteran.  He retired from Bell and Howell in Streamwood, Illinois, where he had worked in quality control.  Eldon was a member of the Riflemen’s Club and a lifetime member of the NRA, and had won medals as a Master Indoor Sharpshooter with a pistol.  He had a gift for telling stories, and enjoyed gardening, flowers and being out in nature.  Eldon was always on the go.  You never knew where he might end up.  He enjoyed going to the Covered Bridge Festival, County Fairs, and even the State Fair, and he always had to have a corn dog.  Eldon was a gifted photographer, able to make a simple picture look like a work of art.  He was a gifted pianist, and could play any music you put in front of him, like a professional, without practicing.

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