Eldon Diedrich Oltman, 75, of Filley, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010.

He was born Sept. 27, 1934, in Beatrice, to Heye Diedrich and Grace Ehmen Oltman. He graduated from Filley High School in 1952. He was married to Mary Lou Schuster on April 15, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell.

Eldon was a diversified farmer from 1952-1998. He worked at Beatrice State Developmental Center from 1997 until his death. He was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell, where he was baptized and confirmed. He served on the Church Council, Parrish Council, Property and Management Committee and Park Board, was Sunday School Superintendent, and past president of Zion Brotherhood. He was a member of the Men’s Choir for 56 years.

He served on the Filley School Board of Education for more than 25 years, 16 years as president. Eldon was the first FFA State Farmer from Filley High School, he was also past chairman of Gage County Extension Board. Eldon was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was an avid sports enthusiast, traveler and gardener.

Survivors are wife of 53 years, Mary Lou Oltman; son, Mark and daughter –in-law Janet Oltman, Lincoln; daughter Angela and son-in-law Mark Klasek, Lincoln; son, Steve Oltman of Filley; daughter, Sharon and son-in-law Duane Schuster, Beatrice; son, Ron and daughter-in-law Gretchen Oltman, Wilber; grandchildren, Bret and Micala Oltman, Chad Oltman, Eric Oltman, Lincoln, Hannah and Andy Sneller, Omaha, Jordan Klasek, Lincoln, Brian and Sammie Garton, Beatrice, Angie and Jesse Reeves, Firth, Danielle Garton, Omaha, Shawn and Stephanie Mencl, Hickman, Tyler Mencl, Lincoln, Elliott Mencl, Beatrice, Jamie Schuster, Omaha, Amy and Bryce Oltman, Wilber; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Elizabeth Oltman, Grace Mencl and Henry Garton; brother-in-law, Albert Schuster and Aunt Elizabeth Oltmans, both of Beatrice. He was preceded in death by his parents, Heye and Grace Oltman.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell, with Pastor Brad Brauer officiating. Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery of rural Pickrell. A family prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Fox Funeral Home, 19th and Garfield streets, Beatrice.

The family will meet and greet friends and relatives at the Fox Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. A memorial has been established to Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell with Thees and Irene Busboom and Don and Elnora Lenners in charge. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice until 9 p.m. Sunday evening and at the church one hour preceding the services on Monday. A guest book for signatures and messages of condolence is available online at www.foxfuneralhome.net. Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice in charge of arrangements.