Eldon E. Hollern, Dvm

Eldon E. “Doc” Hollern, DVM, 75 of Columbus, KS died at 12:45 am, Saturday, April 10, 2010 at his daughter’s home following a short illness.

He was born December 12, 1934 in Esbon, KS, the son of Charles A. and Rose E. (Brezina) Hollern.



He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Jan 25, 1954 and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on May 24, 1958.

On August 23, 1956 he was united in marriage to Donna Loomis in Esbon, KS. She survives him of the home.



In 1962 he received a Bachelors of Science degree from Kansas State University. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1964, also from KSU. Eldon owned and operated the Columbus Animal Hospital for 33 years before retiring in 2001.



Church membership was held in the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church of Columbus. Additional memberships include the Knights of Columbus, Keith Reeves American Legion Post #3 and the Joe Carter VFW Post #1372. He had also been a member of the Western Twirlers and Eagle Picher Square Dance Clubs in Joplin.



Eldon loved being with his children and grandchildren and attending their many activities. He enjoyed raising and caring for Polled Hereford cattle. He was a long-standing member of the American Legion Fair Board and had served as the beef superintendent of the Cherokee County Fair for many years. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed planting a large garden so that he could give away the fruits of his labor.



Survivors in addition to his wife are three daughters, Kathy Wright of rural Columbus, Connie Dunlap and husband Dee of Rogers, AR and Karen Whitham and husband Rusty of Ramstein AFB, Germany; two sisters, Dolores Wassenberg and husband Gerald of Marysville, KS and LaNeta Smith and husband Pat of Esbon, KS. Additional survivors include his grandchildren Jason Wright, Amanda (Wright) Holt and husband Gary, Shaylor Whitham and Ryan Whitham. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Lloyd, Dan and Chuck Hollern, two infant sisters Connie and Lena and a son-in-law Gail Wright.



Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am Friday, April 16, 2010 at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Columbus with Fr. Chrysostom ah Maung as celebrant. Inurnment of cremains will be 11 am, Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Cemetery in Esbon, KS.

Parish rosary will be recited at 6 pm Thursday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus, where the family will receive friends following the rosary. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Memorials may be made to the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and/or the Cherokee County 4-H Council. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements and services are by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 S. East Ave., Columbus, Kansas, and Melby Mortuary, 402 N. High Street, Mankato, Kansas.