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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Flip-flopped dam-removal plans on Evans Creek could start next week ... Gebhard Road extension on the drawing board ... Oregon lawmakers adjourn with bills to help gay veterans, strippers ... Flip-flopped dam-removal plans on Evans Creek could start next week ... Gebhard Road extension on the drawing board ... Oregon lawmakers adjourn with bills to help gay veterans, strippers ... Merle (Mel) LaRoy Eldridge Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 9, 2014 at 2:00 AM Posted Nov. 9, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News Merle Eldridge passed away October 26, 2014 in Medford, Ore. at the age of 86. Merle was born December 27, 1927 in Santa Ana, Calif. to William (Bill) and Bessie (McClain) Eldridge. He graduated from Downey High School in Downey, Calif. in 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1946 from San Francisco, Calif. attending boot camp at SAC (Strategic Air Command) Field in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Wire Technician Telephone & Telegraph School at Scott Field in St. Louis, Ill. and served over a year as an instructor before going to Japan in 1947 with the Occupational Forces. He was honorably discharged in 1949 at the rank of Sergeant and came to the Applegate Valley in Jackson County, Ore. where he attended Southern Oregon University in Ashland. In 1950, he married Eva Marie Clemmer after which a job transfer sent him to Hanford, Calif. They had two daughters, Darcy Lea (Mark) Burns and Billie Jean (Chuck) Taylor, who both survive. In 1963, he married Shirley Mae Bratvoid and they had one daughter, Denise Mae Dunfield, who survives. He also had a step-son from this marriage, Vernon Del La Torre, who preceded him in death. He is survived by five grandchildren, Trevis and Karlie Burns and Tracey, Darcie, and Charles "Cody" Taylor; along with 11 great-grandchildren; and two nieces, Ramona (Davis) Burgess and Lenore (Davis) Woods. His sister, Opal Joy (Eldridge) Davis, also survives him. He was preceded in death by both parents and his nephews, William Wesley Davis and Edson Davis. Merle worked at Swift and Co., Nic L Silver Battery Co., and Douglas Oil Co. before opening and operating Westwood Liquors in Napa Ca. During their retirement, Merle and Shirley traveled extensively in their motor home seeing much of the country. Merle was a member of VFW Post 9300 in Napa serving as Commander and District Commander. He continued service with VFW Post 3232 upon moving to Florence, Or. in 1988. As a Mason, Merle served in many capacities up to including Worshipful Master in 1993. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Knights Templar and Shriners and served as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw in Florence. In 2013, Merle moved to Twin Creeks Retirement in Central Point, Ore. A private family memorial service will be held at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Ore. According to Merle's wishes, no other service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by the Shriners Hospitals for Children. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 9, 2014 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501