Eldon Deloy Newberry

Eldon Deloy Newberry was born February 1, 1944, at his maternal grandparents’ home in North English, Iowa. He was the second child born to Greta (Ballard) Newberry and Gerald William Newberry. At the time of his birth, his father was serving in World War II, stationed at that time in France. Gerald received a wire from the folks announcing the new addition. Eldon was the second child of five. Loren, was nearly two when Eldon was born. No doubt they were great playmates until tragedy struck the family. Loren, nearly four, was devastatingly killed by a fire that was due to the cleanup of the garden. According to the sad story, little Eldon’s tennis shoes were soaked with flammable oil and it was a miracle that he escaped unharmed. Happier times brought Gerald back home and the family increased with three more siblings, Daryl, Lynette, and Karl. Daryl and Lynette, being a close proximity of age with Eldon, allowed them to all grow up quite athletic. They also had plenty of cousins, and they got together often.

Eldon started school at Millersburg until the family moved and their new location situated them in the North English School district. As mentioned earlier, Eldon became quite athletic in school, and in his high school years, he participated in football, track, and basketball. In that time the North English School district consolidated making English Valleys with KeWash being the conference. In track, Eldon generally focused on shorter sprints, 440 and 880 relays, and later broad and high jumps. In football, Eldon’s position was halfback, and sometimes would quarterback or kick for the extra point. Eldon achieved honors of All Conference in the last three years, and All State in his junior year; also Eastern Iowa third team his senior year. In basketball he majored two years.

After graduation in 1962, Eldon pursued more education in Omaha Mechanical Technology. After returning from school, Eldon worked for Van Auken Ford Garage. He had been given a “taste” for building while working with Kenny Campbell in the summer of 1962, but it began to call for him in the fall of 1964. Under Kenny’s crew, Eldon worked or remodeled over 50 residences or businesses. When Kenny made the decision to retire, he worked on a number of projects, first with Joel Miller, then Bob Baldwin, and some on his own when Bob had an opportunity to build in Hawaii. Then, the journey took him to Amana Society Builders (with the manager John Hall). He worked with many crews for approximately 13 years. In 2004, Eldon sustained a lower back injury on the job and he opted to retire from building. Eldon was known for his attitude of “doing it right the first time,” which gave him the criticism “it’s not a piano, Eldon.” He spent some time working for Edgewood Hardware (a good fit) and Target until his full retirement.

Eldon married Nancy Wyant in 1981 and they lived a life of love and enjoyment, first in North English (14 years), then in rural Amana (20 years) and at the time of his death they had lived in rural Grinnell for 11 years. They were fortunate enough to travel within United States and the favorite Daytona Beach for years of stock car races. They had no children, so spent most of their times together, working on their homesteads. Eldon aspired to race a third time, this time in a sprint car. Unfortunately, time ran out. Eldon died on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, at the age of 82 years.

Eldon is survived by his wife and two brothers, Daryl and Karl; brother-in-law Dan Rickels; sister-in-law Vera Worrall; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Eldon in death were his parents; siblings, Loren and Lynette; and a brother-in-law Gary Worrall.

Even though Eldon was perceived as quiet, when able to converse on an individual basis, he made many friends. Examples of such friends were great neighbors, Andrew Henderson and Brian Hansen, and his faithful "pit crew" Lyle Hervey and Wayne Bowman. Eldon will be sorely missed.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Burial will follow in the Golden Rod Cemetery, Deep River. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 12:30 until service time. Memorials may be given to the North English Community Center or the Grinnell First Responders & Fire Department. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.