Eldon Junior Sumpter, 93, of LaGrange, IN, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Veteran's Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN.

Eldon was born on September 16, 1930, in Etna Green, IN to William and Lizzie Ann (Mast) Sumpter.

When his classmates were going back to school for their senior year at Topeka High School, Eldon was on the bus to Paris Island, SC for boot camp in the Marines. He served in the Marines from September 2, 1948, to August 15, 1952, and was a staff sergeant in squadron AES-46 and a crew chief on R4C-(C-47). His job included helping to open the 3rd Marine Wing.

Eldon had a strong work ethic which included working at Wolf Grain in Topeka for ten years; Sorg Printing in Ligonier, where he became a certified Journeyman on four single and four color press, for 13 years; LaGrange County Highway Department foreman for 20 years; the caretaker for the LaGrange County Fairgrounds for 20 years; landfill superintendent for the LaGrange Branch of Serv-All for six years; and for ten years he hauled Amish. In his spare time, he was a truck driver hauling bulk and can milk, dug graves, mowed cemeteries, farmed, umpired baseball, and refereed basketball.

He was a member and active with Topeka Baptist Church in Topeka, IN; was a current member of the LaGrange American Legion Post #215; and had been a member and past commander of the former Topeka American Legion.

On August 26, 1950, at the Topeka Baptist Church in Topeka, IN he married Elizabeth Ellen Hoak.

Surviving is his wife of 73 years, Elizabeth Sumpter of LaGrange, IN; three daughters, Joan Sumpter of Greenfield, IN, Debra (Randy) Misner of Wolcottville, IN, Sherilyn Myers of Kansas City, MO; two sons, William "Bill" Sumpter of Prole, IA, Robert "Bob" Sumpter of LaGrange, IN; ten grandchildren, Derek (Liza) Sumpter of Greenfield, IN, Ehren (Wendy) Misner of Wolcottville, IN, Ryan (Nicholle) Misner of Fort Worth, TX, Shawn Clark of Kansas City, MO, Jamie (Bryan) Clark Young of South Bend, IN, Mark (Sarah) Sumpter of Norwalk, IA, Laura Lindsay Sumpter Cardosa of Kendallville, IN, Kate (Zaden) Sumpter of Sturgis, MI; Michelle Myers-Coleman of Kansas City, MO, Sony Sumpter of Ligonier, IN; two step-grandchildren, Devon (Linda) Miller of Waukee, IA, Shawn (Patty) Thoms of Howe, IN, Kelly Fields of Sturgis, MI; great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Everett Sumpter, Dalton, Cael, Teague and Beckham Misner, Hailey (Anthony) Misner Griffith Goddard, Chance, Alleyce, and Gabrielle Misner, Mindy Lynn May, Jasmine and Jayden Grayson, Jala Grayson, Charles IV, Isabel, and Shelby Coleman; step-greatgrandchildren, Adalee and Colton Miller, Ross and Chole Anderson, Tayler, Kameron, and Chandler Thoms, Kurt Logan Fields; great-great-grandchildren, Rylynn, Malana, and Kaleya Moore, Avia Summers; a step-great-great-grandson, Weston Thoms; and a great-great-granddaughter, Willow Rae Summers, who is due to be born in December.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a daughter-in-law, Arlene Sumpter; step granddaughter, Mindy Rueckert; sisters, Dorothy Schumucker and Annabelle Yoder; and a brother, Homer Huffman.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 10:00 am at Frurip-May Funeral Home, 309 W. Michigan St., LaGrange, IN with Pastor Samuel Mast officiating. The service will be available on Frurip-May Funeral Home Facebook page.

Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in LaGrange, IN with military rites by LaGrange American Legion Post #215.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 1-3 pm and 5-8 pm at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Memorials may be made to either Topeka Baptist Church or LaGrange American Legion Post #215.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.fruripmayfuneralhome.com.