Elton L. Fielden (“Yat” if you’re from Engelberg), 92, of Pocahontas passed away Friday, April 25, 2025 at Randolph Home where he was in his second year reigning as King.
He was born June 27, 1932 south of The Settlement near the Birdell community to the late William Herschel “Hutch” and Betty Reo Hufstedler Fielden.
Elton was a graduate of Sloan-Hendrix School where he pulled a prank on his high school principal that almost kept him from graduating. He served as a military police officer in the Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, KY. He joked that he had stolen a gold bar and buried it in the backyard but could not remember where he buried it. Actually, he guarded the gold but never saw any gold.
Elton was the longtime parts manager for McFall Chevrolet and later Baltz Chevrolet-Oldsmobile “fliver” dealerships having beaten Howard Rapert out for the job. Elton was a loyal company man, always driving GM vehicles, wearing Chevrolet clothing, and even had “Baltz” tattooed on his arm! He often said that he and Billy Alphin were the best parts men in Randolph County! He had many “helpers’ through the years who all became his forever friends. He also worked for Pratt’s Auto Salvage for a few years.
After retiring, Elton became involved in the Pocahontas Senior Center where he served on the board, complained about too much white meat chicken, and held court daily at the VIP table until causing an uprising over out of date Little Debbie cakes. He also became a beloved fixture in the community and ran up quite the coffee tab through his frequent visits to numerous businesses as he would make his daily rounds. He was well known by the Pocahontas Police as the old man in the old Buick who refuses to stop at STOP signs. He was an honorary employee of McNabb Funeral Home where his salary was paid with Folgers Coffee, day old donuts, and free car washes.
In later years Elton has been lovingly referred to as the Honorary Mayor of Birdell, a title he was given after “convincing” the highway department to put up signs at Birdell. He was also a faithful member of Pyburn Street Church of Christ where he kept everyone on their toes with his comical antics. Elton never met a stranger, and all who met him never forgot him. He had an old saying or one-line comeback response for every occurrence. He could tell a good story about almost anything using humor but with some underlying wisdom.
Elton was preceded in death by his parents, Hutch and Reo Fielden; wife, Betty Lou Martin Fielden; son, Michael Lynn Fielden; sister, Joann Smith; and son in law, Mike Tyler.
Elton is survived by his daughters, Linda (Jim) Camp of Pocahontas and Marisa Tyler of Pocahontas; three grandsons, Jordan (Tiffany) Camp, Jared Camp, and Jake (Madison) Redwine; his special granddaughter, Rachel (Spencer) Bradford; great grandsons, Rowan Camp, Aiden Camp, Alex Camp, and Ashton Camp; great-granddaughter, Maci Redwine; brother, Bill (Sue) Fielden of Scottsdale, AZ; sisters, Betty Lorenz of El Dorado, AR and Sara (David) Elkins of Scottsdale, AZ; by his special lady friend, Ona Mae Rice; his best friend, Steve Sorg; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial visitation will be held Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 10 AM – 12 PM in the chapel of McNabb Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at 12:30 PM at Old Union Cemetery with Noah Reese and Joshua Dement officiating.
Honorary Pallbearers are Marvin “Red” Oaks, Donnie Hibbard, David Lemmons, Larry Swetnam, Wayne Meredith, Josh Stockwell, Gary Sewell, Billy Sims, Bob Wren, Jamey Sullinger, Jason Stanley, Jerry Bastill, Terry Redwine, Ronnie Tyler, Nathan Barber, Warren Smith, Mike Dunn, Stan Rogers, Robert Pratt, Adam Pratt, Debbie Rounds, Clyde Hackworth, Doug Thielemier, Nancy Knotts, Mandy Reese, Ashley Leandro, Tabitha Wicker, Jamie Gibson-Hudson, Karen Richey, Lex Crawford, Janice Goans, Craig Vanwinkle, Dewayne Sharp, Barbara Wood, and Jenetta Faye Smith.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of the donor’s choice.