Retired Covenant pastor Eldon Toll passed away on August 25, 2024. He was 93.
Eldon Vern Toll was born to his Swedish immigrant parents Axel Ragner and Alma Naime Toll on November 15, 1930, in Lindsborg, Kansas. Eldon grew up on a farm, and helped field crops and raise livestock. In addition, seeds were sown in his heart for a lifetime of ministry. Later the family moved to nearby Marquette where Eldon graduated from Marquette High School in 1948. The following year while working as a plumber with his oldest brother, he assembled a functioning Model A Ford from two non-working vehicles.
Eldon drove that Model A to Chicago for studies at North Park College and Wheaton College. During this time he worked with underprivileged youth at Erie Neighborhood House. As a summer staff member at HoneyRock Camp in Wisconsin, one of his co-workers became the love of his life. Jerrine Hallworth and Eldon enjoyed seventy years together following their marriage on June 14, 1954 in Wheaton, Illinois.
The young couple journeyed to Connecticut for a pastoral internship at Cromwell Covenant Children’s Home and Cromwell Covenant Church. Upon graduation from North Park Seminary, Eldon accepted the position of Manager at Mission Springs Camp in northern California.
In 1962, Eldon was officially ordained into ministry by the Evangelical Covenant Church at the annual meeting in Seattle, Washington. For eight years, he served as Director of Christian Education for the Pacific Southwest Conference. Together, Eldon and Jerrine served multiple churches, including Salina Covenant Church in Kansas, Mt. Prospect Covenant Church in Illinois, and Kirkland Covenant Church in Washington. The couple ventured to Taiwan as short-term missionaries, after which Eldon became Chaplain for Covenant Living at the Shores, a retirement community in Mercer Island, Washington. Throughout his 41-years of vocational ministry, Eldon was devoted to the church and to following God’s direction.
In 1996, Eldon and Jerrine retired to Tucker, Georgia. Their active pace continued, which included ministry to international students and Eldon’s handy-man projects. Perhaps most significant was the adoption of three teenage boys from Russia in 2001 and 2003. This adoption journey brought immense joy and fulfillment, including Eldon’s mission trip to Peru with his son, John, soon after bypass surgery. His love was unconditional, even in the midst of challenges. He cherished spending time with all of his children and grandchildren; he is remembered for his wise counsel, encouragement, and passionate prayers for family and acquaintances. As declining health kept him closer to home, he treasured family dinners, phone conversations with his children, participating in church events, and walks in the neighborhood.
Eldon strived to be a light to those he encountered. He saw almost every situation as an opportunity to live with celebration, focusing on what he was grateful for. He appreciated the smallest things that life brought, and never shied away from trying something new. His cheerful disposition, infectious smile, and contagious positive attitude served as a source of encouragement to those around him. Most importantly, Eldon believed in the truth of the Holy Scriptures while pointing individuals toward the importance of a relationship with Jesus.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers, and a sister-in-law, as well as a son, John, and an infant grandson, Noah Toll. In addition to his wife, Jerrine, Eldon is survived by five children: Marvin Toll (Doris) of Milford, Michigan; Carolyn Hancock of Tucker, Georgia; Yvonne Schneider (Ed) of Chamblee, Georgia; Victor Toll of Tucker; Timothy Toll (Joy) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Ellen Toll (John) of Peachtree Corners, Georgia. He is survived by six grandchildren: Kathryn Toll Calcut (Chris), Sara Hancock, Ana Hancock, Sophia Wolfe, Lily Toll, and Benji Toll; eight great-grandchildren: Hannah, Logan, Lucas, Henry, Asher, Hailey, Simon, and Emma Calcut. A sister-in-law, Ione Toll of Lindsborg, also survives at one hundred years of age.
A memorial service will be held scheduled at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1438 Sheridan Road NE, Atlanta, GA. A time of fellowship and light refreshment will follow. Toddler care will be available from 1:30pm – 4:30pm.
Peace be to his memory.
