Eldon F. “Red” Place, age 87, of Livingston passed away Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Edenbrook in Platteville, with his wife and children by his side.
Red was the son of Floyd and Delphia (Latham) Place born on September 25, 1934, in Grant County.
He married his beautiful wife, Arlyne Schultz June 12, 1954, at Peace Lutheran Church in Platteville and they resided in Livingston for their 67 years of marriage.
Red’s professional life began farming on his father’s farm, followed by his job at Yelinek’s farm. He then worked at Livingston Creamery as a cheesemaker for 30 years. After his cheese making career, Red served as a custodian for UW Whitewater and UW Platteville for a combined 20 years. He also served as Livingston-Clifton Volunteer Firefighter for several years.
Red had a passion for many sports, that started early in his life. He was a catcher in both softball and baseball. He helped coach and instilled that passion upon his 3 children and 5 grandchildren, later enjoying travelling to watch them play in many sports across the country. His love for sports was so evident and appreciated by many, it ultimately resulted in his 2019 Southwest Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame induction, as a Friend of the Game. Later in life he spent a lot of time watching his favorite teams, the Packers, Badgers and Brewers. His other hobbies include, but are not limited to gardening and flowers, card club with his friends, and spending time with his loving family. Red was also a member of Livingston UM Church.
Survived by his wife Arlyne, son Denny and Marcee (Piquette)Place, daughter Pam and John Conrad, son Mark and Robin (Belken) Place, grandchildren Whitney and Austin Place, Nick (fiancé Morgan) and Ben (partner Laine) Conrad, Craig (partner Thelma) Place, and step-grandchildren Brad and Katie Soat, Ryan and Jen Soat, and Teresa and Kory Reeder, sister Donna Myers of Livingston, sisters-in-law Lu (Ivan) Borcherding, Jannett (Bill) Orcutt, brothers-in-law Bill (Shirley) Schultz, and Johnny (Kathy) Schultz, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, brothers Milton (Betty) Place, Wendell “Buzz” (Neva) Place, sisters Eunice (Virgil) Wackershauser, Avanelle (Ed) Sedbrook, Audrey (Sam) Stassi, and brother-in-law Bruce Myers.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. on Saturday February 26, 2022, at the Livingston United Methodist Church in Livingston, WI with burial of cremated remains to be held at a later date in the Rock Church Cemetery rural Livingston. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 P.M. on Friday February 25, 2022, at the Livingston United Methodist Church and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Saturday morning. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Livingston-Clifton Fire Department or Livingston UM Church. The Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort is assisting the family.