Rev. Eldon Toll
- Obituary -
Eldon Vern Toll was the fourth (and youngest) son born of 2nd-generation Swedish immigrants on November 15, 1930.
He died peacefully at age 93 while hospitalized on Sunday evening, August 25, 2024.
The memorial service is scheduled for 2:00pm on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Westminster Presbyterian Church,
1438 Sheridan Road NE, Atlanta, GA. A time of fellowship and light refreshment follows. Toddler care is available
from 1:30 - 4:30.
Eldon was raised by his parents, Axel Ragner and Alma Naime Toll née Adell on a farm west of Lindsborg, Kansas;
they grew field crops and raised 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, a co-worker 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, followed by eight years as Director of Christian Education for the
Covenant’s Pacific Southwest Conference. Then he served as pastor for: Salina Covenant Church, KS; Mt. Prospect
Covenant Church, IL; Kirkland Covenant Church, WA. The couple ventured to Taiwan as short-term missionaries, after
which Eldon became Chaplain for Covenant Living at the Shores, a retirement community on Mercer Island, WA.
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,
including 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; he
didn’t shy 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, MI;
Carolyn Hancock of Tucker, GA; Yvonne Schneider (Ed) of Chamblee, GA; Victor Toll of Tucker, GA; Timothy Toll
(Joy) of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter-in-law, Ellen Toll (John) of Peachtree Corners, GA. 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, KS, also survives at one hundred years of age.
Eldon recently reflected on his life: “Looking back is mixed with joy and pain. The best part is yet to come.
Remember John 14:3? ‘And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that
you may also be where I am.’ Jesus said, ‘Follow me.’ Let’s meet there with Him!”
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Eldon’s memory can be sent to a Russian ministry for graduate orphans at tinyurl.com/HarborRussia.
The Harbor at St. Petersburg serves to prepare young adults for life outside an orphanage. Further context
is
available
at TheHarborSpb.org.