Eldon "Shorty" Niemtschk

Eldon “Shorty” Niemtschk, 82, formerly of Taylor, passed away on Sept. 25, 2017, in Chandler, Ariz.

Shorty was born in Thorndale to Meta and Otto Niemtschk on March 27, 1935. He grew up in Thorndale. Shorty married Julia Marie Schoenrock on Jan. 26, 1958.

He grew up on the family farm, played football for Thorndale High School, and after the serving as a member of the United States Army, in Korea from 1955-1957, he became a Teamster driving for 40 years in Texas, New Mexico, and Michigan.

Shorty is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Lehmann; and brothers, Justin Niemtschk and Erwin Niemtschk.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Julia; daughter, Juanita Pelletier and husband Alan of Haltom City; son, Michael Niemtschk and his wife Marie of Chandler; and daughter, Anna Niemtschk of Austin; sisters, Elyne Lehmann, Irene Schroeder, Doris Kiesling; and brother, Eugene Niemtschk. His 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends are also left to cherish his memory.

Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor. The funeral service will be Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorndale, followed by burial in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews: Larry Lehmann, Galen Schroeder, Preston Kiesling, Alan Kiesling, Anthony Niemtschk, Russell Niemtschk, Steven Niemtschk, and Ray Bagby.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made in his name, Eldon Niemtschk, to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Building Fund or the American Heart Association.