Pastor Eldon McKenzie

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Pastor Eldon Dale McKenzie, 76, of Chaffee died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 28, 1934, in Chaffee, son of William Buford and Lilly Lucille Gettings McKenzie. He and Maxie Lee Neely were married Oct. 30, 1955.

The McKenzie family was one of the founding families of the Church of God in Chaffee. McKenzie served as senior pastor from 1971 until retiring in 2008.

He served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, William Bruce (Charmagne) McKenzie of Cape Girardeau, Dr. Larry (Janny) McKenzie of Tulsa, Okla., Robert Daniel (Angela) McKenzie of Huntersville, N.C.; a daughter, Nelda (Robert) Eichhorn of Chaffee; seven grandchildren, Charlene Burke, William McKenzie, Daniel McKenzie, Lauren McKenzie, Ian Eichhorn, Cameron Eichhorn, Olivia Paige McKenzie; and two great-grandchildren, Victoria Burke and Jaxson Burke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Shirley Metcalf.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Church of God in Chaffee.

The funeral will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Pastor Tom Morris will officiate, assisted by Pastor Alvie Surface. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, with military rites to be provided.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.