Obituary - Eldon Jesse Mooney

Eldon Jesse Mooney, 86, died peacefully at his home in Havre, MT of natural causes Thursday, October 17, 2019.

At his request no services are planned. His burial will be held at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, Montana.

Memorials in Eldon's honor may be made to the Frank DeRosa Railroad Museum. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Eldon's online memorial page to leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com .

Eldon was born October 6, 1933, in Burwell, Nebraska, to William and Clara (Rigney) Mooney, one of 10 children. The family moved to Dayton, Wyoming, where Eldon attended school, until the family moved to Laurel, Montana, where he finished school. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, serving during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned to Laurel where he worked for the Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroads. He was also in the Army reserves until his honorable discharge in 1961.

Eldon married the love of his life, Barbara Hager, at Fromberg, Montana in 1966. They resided in Billings until 1988, when they moved to Havre, where he continued his railroad career as a brakeman until he retired in 1996.

Eldon's retirement years were spent at the Railroad Museum with Barbara always by his side. You didn't see one without the other. He helped to get the Pacific Junction Railway Club started in 1999 at the Railroad Museum. He designed the layout of the track upstairs and Barbara helped him create it. Together they finished the track downstairs. His H.O. Model Railroad Trains and Club was his greatest passion.

Eldon was a very kind-hearted man; a gentle soul and always happy and jovial. He was always willing to do what was needed to get the job done.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters and one brother.

Eldon is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; one brother, Jesse Rigney; his brother-in-law Al Hager; nieces, Marjorie Runestad and Vickie Labrun; three great nieces; two great nephews; and many close friends.