Elton
Cummings, 79
Thief River Falls - Elton Cummings, 79, died Tuesday, January 19, 1999 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 22 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Rev. Galen Sylvester officiating. Ida Nordvall was the organist, and Rev. Terri Cuppett was the soloist. Casketbearers were Robby Lundbohm, Jeff Van de Streek, Andy Lundbohm, Tim Van de Streek, Gary Jorde, Bruce Jorde, Murray Jorde, Chris Jorde, Jason Niemi and Brandon Niemi. Honorary casketbearers were members of the Thief River Falls Police Department and all of Elton's grandchildren. Military honors were provided by the Thief River Falls V.F.W. and American Legion posts. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Elton Clyde Cummings was born on January 14, 1920 in Prescott, Arkansas, the son of Clyde and Addie (Avery) Cummings. He was baptized and confirmed at the Midway Methodist Church in Prescott. He graduated from high school in Blevens, AR in 1938. Elton attended Arkansas State University at Jonesboro before listing in the U.S. Air Force in 1940. He served during World War II and was stationed in England.
Elton married Armene White in 1939 in Prescott, AR. Armene died in 1940. On May 19, 1942 he was united in marriage to Evelyn Jorde at Holt while on military leave. Following his honorable discharge, Elton joined his wife in Thief River Falls where they raised their family. Evelyn died on April 19, 1980.
On September 26, 1988 Elton was united in marriage to Eileen Johnson Anderson at Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple has made their home in Thief River Falls.
Elton worked for the railroad and Northern Motors in Thief River Falls before beginning a career in law enforcement. He was named Chief of Police in 1954 and served in that position until 1975. From 1975 until 1978, he worked for the Pennington County Welfare Department, and from 1979 to 1990, he drove for Dr. Ernesto Padilla.
He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion and Eagles. Elton served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army and on Redeemer Lutheran Church's council. He was a past president of the Chief of Police Assn. of Minnesota. He also served in the National Guard for 24 years.
Elton is survived by his wife, Eileen; four daughters, Carolyn (Roger) Ahl of Chaska, Marcheta "Marky" (Harold) Van de Streek of Perham, Leanna "Lonnie" Cummings of Thief River Falls, and Janet (Robert) Lundbohm of Roseau; one son, Tom Cummings of Edina; two stepdaughters, Sandy (Robert) Niemi of Thief River Falls and Tanna (Jack) McGarry of Redondo Beach, CA; 17 grandchildren; ten great-granddaughters; one brother, Carlton (Carolyn) Cummings of Sheridan, AR; one sister, Arlene Harper of Prescott, AR; many nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins; and special friends, Dr. Ernesto and Marcia Padilla.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Armene; an infant son, Elvis; his second wife, Evelyn; his parents; one grandson, Bruce Van de Streek; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.