Elza Bly Ridgway, 98 was born December 29, 1927 near Appleton City, MO and went home to be with the Lord on August 29, 2026 with his family by his side.
He was the middle child of 5 born to Arthur and Evelena “Ginter” Ridgway. Elza grew up and attended schools around Johnson City in St. Clair County, MO. He quit school after the 8th grade but was proficient in math and could figure fractions in his head with ease. He worked on farms, cut wood, built fence, helped build milk barns and worked at Slischman hatchery in Appleton City.
He enlisted in the army the day before his 21st birthday. He had taken a typing class in school. His commander called him in and asked if he wanted to be his clerk. Elza told him that he could barely type. The commander said no one else can either, so he was Clerk to the Commander, chauffeuring him around the base in his army jeep in Arkansas, Texas, Massachusetts and 8 months in Germany. He told his kids that they would probably find some certificates that showed where he was a Commander. He chuckled and said he never was but you could type up whatever you wanted when you were the clerk. One day a very smart lady told her daughter, why don’t you write to that young Ridgway boy in the service. He seems like a pretty nice young man. So she did and the love story began that lasted 50 years.
He was honorably discharged on Sept 27, 1951. Little did he know that exactly one year later on Sept 27, 1952 would be his wedding day. Three children were born to this union, Eva Yvonne, Mary Louise, and Randall Wayne. Elza and Shirley bought their farm in 1956, raised their family and spent the rest of their married lives there.
Elza worked at the International Shoe Company for 12 years and did construction work for several years, including the Stockton Dam. He became a supervisor and was proud to tell anyone that he helped build it. But his favorite job was farming. Raising pigs was more of a hobby than a job to him. He enjoyed raising bird dogs, quail hunting, loved snagging season and raising Hereford cattle and horses. He and Shirley helped organize and start up the El Dorado Springs Land-O-Lakes Saddle Club. He was president for 8 years.
Elza and Shirley were very active in the St. Clair Co. VFW Post 4197, holding numerous offices and receiving many awards. He was part of many military funeral guards and he and Shirley marched in several parades and were proud to be a part of them.
Elza and Shirley were baptized together Feb 24, 1991. They were active members of the First Christian Church. He served as a deacon & taught a young men’s class.
Elza was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Eldon, Sisters Isabelle, Imogene and Osie, his loving wife Shirley in 2000 and precious daughter Eva in 2015.
He is survived by his daughter Mary Cain (Clinton), son Randy (Suzy), son-in-law Carl Mooney, 9 granddaughters – Valerie, Stephanie (Josh), Mitchelle (Charles), Tracy (Terrence), Jamey (Daniel), Tera (David), Sharin (Thomas), Stephanie (Keith), Stacie (Coulter). 4 grandsons – Jake (Brandy), Jon (Robin), Clay, & Randy (Kendra). 4 Foster grandchildren – Natalie, Naudia, Ayden & Alek. 37 Great grandchildren, 13 Great Great Grandchildren and 1 on the way. And many friends and extended family.