Eldon Gillespie, 85 of Albany passed away, Monday, March 22, 2010 at an Albany hospital. Merritt Eldon, the son of Rolla Elvis and Ola Ann (Madden) Gillespie was born January 7, 1925 in Ellenorah, Missouri. Eldon was a World War II Army Veteran, serving in the 2nd Infantry Division, receiving a purple heart, two oak leaf clusters and a bronze star. He was a member of the Albany VFW Post #106. On April 24, 1947, Eldon was united in marriage to Jane Henderson in Troy, Kansas. Eldon was a farmer and a member of the Albany Warrior Booster Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, sons, Stuart and Larry Gillespie, brothers, Homer, Dale and Bill Gillespie and a sister, Teresa Waltrip. Survivors: Wife, Jane of the home; Son, Stan (Rene') Gillespie, Leawood, KS; Daughters, Janis (Gary) Campbell, Columbia, MO; Pam Gillespie, Kansas City, MO; Brother, George (Billie Sue) Gillespie, Albany; Daughters-in-law, Deanna Gillespie, Albany; Cynthia Kaiser, Booneville, MO; Grandchildren, Lisa Stevens, Bobby Campbell, Heather Campbell, Phillip Gillespie, Laura Gillespie, Ryan Gillespie, Rebecca Lenger, Logan Gillespie, Ben Gillespie, Lauren Gillespie and Megan Gillespie; Great-Grandchildren, Olivia & Julia Stevens, Reese Lenger, Jack Merritt Campbell.