Thomas Neal Eddleman

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Thomas Neal Eddleman passed away in his sleep on Oct. 24, 2010.

He was born April 26, 1916 in Du Quoin to Maxwell and Bertha (Provart) Eddleman.

He joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. Tom spent two years in the service, rising to Tech Sergeant. Tom moved to California in 1950 and went to work for North American Aviation building P51 Mustang fighters and T6 Jexan Hauners and later worked on the Space Shuttle. Club racing and cars were his passions and in his blood. He drove an H Production Sprite at Riverside, Willow Sprints, Button Willow and Fontana, Calif. raceways with the sign "The Du Quoin Connection" painted on it. He truly loved the sport and the wonderful friends he made at Cal Club.

He is predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Ursula Eddleman, and together they are survived by daughter, Donna McFarlin; son-in-law, Rev. Harry McFarlin; daughter, Petra Gilbert Marquis; son-in-law, Charlie Marquis; daughters-in-law, Dr. Aleta Peters Schinsky and Betty Jewel Fink; as well as eight grandchildren, Karen Corson and her husband Mark Corson, Susy Munson, Andy McFarlin, Patrick McFarlin and his wife Julie McFarlin, Melanie Bussard and husband Michel Bussard, Mary Leanne Sagert and husband Justin Sagert, Joshua Hollenbeck and wife Rachel Hollenbeck and Casey Mary Olson and 18 great-grandchildren.

Tom will be missed terribly by all who loved and knew him. We'll miss his dry sense of humor and the excitement and joy he brought to our family. Over 100 people attended Tom's memorial service on Friday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at Fairhaven Chapel in Santa Ana, Calif. It was followed by an event in a private home, celebrating the life of one who "Finished Well."

Visit ocregister.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book.