Part owner of grain elevators also farmed

12/23/2006

PIONEER, Ohio - Eldon L. Moomaw, 70, a former local farmer and the former part owner and operator of two grain elevators, died Wednesday in a traffic accident at North Curtice and Seaman roads in Lucas County's Jerusalem Township.

Mr. Moomaw co-owned and operated two grain elevators, one here and another in Kunkle, Ohio, from 1970, when he bought a share in the businesses, until 1975, when he sold his share to a family member.

He also farmed corn, beans, and wheat at a 2,000-acre farm near Pioneer, which he rented and owned from 1955 to 1975.

In 1975, Mr. Moomaw retired from farming and became a grain salesman in northern Ohio. He sold grain until 1993, when he retired permanently.

"He was a very hard worker," his daughter Cristy Craig said.

"He was a loving, caring father, husband, and grandfather. He loved life. He loved his family. And he made friends with strangers," she said.

A native of Attica, Ohio, Mr. Moomaw was raised in Pioneer, where he attended high school through the 10th grade, when he quit school in order to farm.

In retirement, Mr. Moomaw helped family and friends build their homes.

Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Sara Moomaw; daughters, Connie Luce, Cathy Martin, and Cristy Craig; stepdaughters, Terri Geren, and Vicci Merrick; stepsons, Scott Ely and Samuel Ely; sister, Lois Rupp; 25 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Services will begin at 11 a.m. today in the Thompson Funeral Home, Montpelier, Ohio.

The family suggests tributes to the North Central Athletic Boosters or Edon Northwest Athletic Boosters.