Elvin Fordham

WALNUT — Elvin “Pud” Fordham, 99, of 308 S. Second St., Walnut, died Tuesday, March 23, 2009, at Walnut Manor Nursing Home in Walnut.

Born Jan. 7, 1910, in New Bedford to Glenn and Myrtle (Langford) Fordham, he married E. Geraldine Stiver Sept. 11, 1941, in Missouri. She died July 23, 2003.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in England. He attended Eureka College, where he was a member of TKE Fraternity. He owned and operated Fordham’s Tavern in Walnut from 1934 until 1967 and managed Campus Apartments.

Surviving are one stepsons, Neil (Joanne) Stiver of Walnut; two grandchildren, Leigh (Scott) Kossman of Hinkley and Neil T. (Erin) Stiver of Springfield; and six great-grandchildren, Josie, Annie and Lillie Kossman, and Erin, Reilly and Stone Stiver.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Garland Funeral Home, Walnut, with the Rev. Paul Nolden, pastor of the Walnut United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the services in the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to Walnut Manor Nursing Home, Walnut Fire Department or Hospice of the  Rock River Valley.