Eldred V. Schelp, 96, of Emma, MO, died Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma with Pastor Jacob Mueller officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia. Memorials are suggested to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Saint Paul Lutheran High School. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born May 29, 1926, in Emma, he was the son of the late Otto Schelp and Stella Stuerke Schelp. Eldred was inducted into the United States Army on July 21, 1945, at Ft. Leavenworth, KS and served with A Troop 37th Constabulary 3 Regiment in Dillenburg, Germany and was honorably discharged on February 19, 1947. On August 26, 1951, he married Shirley Jean Fangmann who preceded him in death on October 16, 2002. After Eldred returned from the war, he did custom farming and was a salesman at Dittmer Farm Equipment in Higginsville. Eldred operated Schelp Brothers Service Station in Emma, as well as managing the MFA Bulk Plant, and was co-owner/operator of Schelp & Schelp Bulk Milk Haulers. After retirement he then again did some custom farming as well as having his own farm operation which included row crops and a cow/calf operation. One of the things Eldred enjoyed, especially after retirement, was being able to travel with Shirley, especially making two trips to Germany and one to Canada. He also continued his love of collecting antique tractors and model toy trains.
Being a lifelong resident of the Emma area, Eldred’s church and community were important to him. He was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where he served in numerous capacities, was a member of the church choir, Men’s Club, and a founding member of the Thursday Morning Men’s Bible Class. Along with singing in the church choir, his love of music also inspired him to be a part of the Concordia German Choir. He was active in Emma’s city government, serving as the City Clerk for many years, and was a charter member of Tri-City Country Club. Eldred was also a member of V.F.W. Post 5649.
Survivors include two sons, David Schelp (Susan) of Emma and Kevin Schelp of Sweet Springs; two daughters, Connie Kreisel (Tom) of Houstonia and Karen Benson of Emma; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Wilma Schelp of Concordia; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Eldred was preceded in death by his parents and wife; one granddaughter, Sarah Nicole Schelp; four sisters: Elsie Schelp in infancy, Lucille Loges, Hildegard Becker and Ruth Becker; four brothers: Wilbert, Robert, Roger and Leland Schelp; and one granddaughter-in-law, Jessica Kreisel.