Bobby Gale (Bob) Eldreth

Mr. Bobby Gale “Bob” Eldreth, 75, of Statesville, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at the Gordon Hospice House following a courageous 22-month battle with cancer.  Mr. Eldreth was born December 5, 1940, in Ashe County and was the son of the late Claude Eldreth and Beatrice Gilley Eldreth.  He attended Ashe County schools and in July 1963, he married Margaret Peacock Eldreth, who survives. Mr. Eldreth was retired from Toter where he worked as a shipping clerk. Bobby was the youngest of nine children.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend and was especially fond of his cats.  He was a man who enjoyed helping people especially his neighbors.  His love for the outdoors was obvious in his joy of woodworking, mowing, and gardening. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter, Bill, and Andy Eldreth along with two sisters, Geraldine Campbell and Marie Lambert. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 52 years, Margaret and a daughter, Teresa E. Duke (George) along with a granddaughter, Megan Duke, all of Statesville.  He is also survived by a sister, Betty Hamm of Thomasville, a brother-in-law, who he considered a brother, James Peacock (Lynda) of Statesville and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Bob Eldreth will be conducted at 3:00 PM Friday, February 5, 2016 in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jeff Coley officiating.  Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  The family will visit with friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the Nicholson Funeral Home.  Active pallbearers will be Tim, Nathan, and Andy Estes, Chris and Colby Cloer, Jeff Bowie, and Kyle Coley. Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to Hospice and Palliative of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. The family would like to extend their sincerest appreciation to the family friends, Harry Mayes and Kyle Coley, who kept the lawn looking great during Bob’s illness and to Cancer Companions at South River Baptist Church. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Bobby Eldreth.