Eldon Lee Wright

Eldon Lee Wright, age 82 of Ipava, Illinois, passed away at 9:45 am Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Woodland Township, Fulton County, Illinois. He was born on July 7, 1938 in Laura, Illinois, the son of Russell and Gladys (Kneer) Wright. In 1957, Eldon married Mary Blazevich.

He was a US Navy veteran, serving from 1955 until 1959, with a rank of Machinist Mate 2nd Class. His last duty was aboard the USS Hector.

Eldon worked for International Harvester in the 1970's. He last worked for R and K Trucking in Princeville, Illinois.

He was an accomplished pilot, flying private aircraft and jets. he taught several area residents to fly. In the 1970's, he was manager of the Havana Municipal Airport in Havana, Illinois. He was chief pilot for Mt. Hawley Airport in Peoria, Illinois, the Rock Falls Airport in Rock Falls, Illinois, the Kotzebue Airport in Kotzebue, Alaska, and for Delta Airlines. He also flew crop duster planes in Texas.

Eldon loved garden tractor pulls. He won many garden tractor pulls and enjoyed working on the engines and the competition. He was a member of the former Fulton County Garden Tractor Pullers Association.

He is survived by two sons; Mike (and Sue) Wright of Ipava, Illinois and Mark Wright of Danville, Illinois. four daughters; Michelle Edwards of Canton, Illinois, Marie Wright of Silver City, New Mexico, Julianne (and Kevin) Young of San Diego, California, and Joy Wright of Lake Roberts, New Mexico, grandchildren; Andrew, Heather, Danea, Amber, Jessica, Jennifer, Ariel, Jamal, Iris, and Marguerite, great-grandchildren Makenya, Tatianna, Yasimine, and Adale, his sister Roseanne (and Roland) Lahne of East Peoria, Illinois, and two brothers, Russell (and Marti) Wright of Ft. Worth, Texas and Sherman Wright of Springfield, Ohio.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, Illinois. Pastor Doug Krukewitt will officiate. Military rites will be presented by the Ipava American Legion and the US Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 5-7 prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Ipava American Legion in Eldon's memory. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Princeville Cemetery, Princeville, Illinois.