Elroy Charles John Lindeburg, 81, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, in Bandera, surrounded by his family. Born on March 22, 1936, in Hondo, Elroy was the son of Emil John and Ella Mary Katharina (Nietenhoefer) Lindeburg of Dunlay. He honored his parents well by diligently caring for them until their passing. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Quihi, later becoming a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hondo. He grew up on the family farm in Dunlay where he learned hard work and where German was the language spoken. He began grade school in Castroville, learning his first words of English. Later, he attended Hondo High School, graduating in 1954. A May 1954 Hondo Anvil Herald article quotes the following, "Elroy Lindeburg is another graduate who plans to join the navy. But Elroy isn't staying in it for good. He's going to farm after his discharge. Elroy, who is 18 years old, is an old hand at football playing three years and lettered each time. That year he made 2nd All District team as guard. Baseball interests Elroy, too, for he has played on the team from 1951 to 1954. Elroy is chapter secretary of the FFA, but you couldn't begin to count the teams and committees he has served on. Hunting and fishing hold Elroy's interest most whenever he has leisure time though he's interested in many things. Elroy is a mighty fine guy." Elroy served his country, entering the US Navy on July 13, 1954, coming aboard the seaplane tender USS Gardiners Bay (AVP 39) as a fireman's apprentice and later being promoted to fireman. He was honorably discharged on May 22, 1958, achieving the rank of Engine Man (Diesel) Petty Officer 2nd Class. During this time, he was able to see the world, including annual naval cruises to Japan and stops at Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong and Subic Bay, Philippines. He told stories of his ship going through a typhoon while he watched the buoyancy needle lean as far as it could go on its side before toppling the ship. The ship eventually made it through the storm, allowing Elroy another occasion to help save his ship from sinking after taking on water during an engine fire. The USS Gardiners Bay was in commission from 1945 to 1958 and saw service in the latter stages of World War II and in the Korean War. After her decommissioning, she was transferred to the Norwegian Navy. On Aug. 18, 1963, he wed Marian Adeline Beyer of Hondo at St. Paul Lutheran Church. They made their only home in Hondo where Elroy was known to keep an impeccably landscaped yard. His green thumb extended to growing large gardens on the Dunlay farm where his family got to enjoy and can the fruits of his labor. He later loved to tell stories to his caregivers of the large watermelon crop he grew that volunteered itself in a place where previous store-bought watermelon rinds and seeds had been tossed. Elroy was a good provider for his family, retiring after many years as a postman with the US Post Office, Hondo. In his time, mail delivery was by walking house-to-house, carrying heavy sacks instead of driving. He often stated he walked 17 miles a day, possibly 150,000 miles over time just delivering mail and had the knees to prove it. He later retired a second time after working several years for HEB, Hondo. Elroy, a descendent of German immigrants who landed at Galveston around 1847 and at Indianola (now deserted) around 1868, was proud of his German heritage. His mother Ella was the oldest known survivor of the Nietenhoefer and Leinweber families at the time of her death in 2002. He was smart, frugal, resourceful, and strong-willed, a free thinker and a meticulous planner and goal setter who never procrastinated. He loved the outdoors, enjoying camping, hunting and fishing, setting many trot and jug lines along Texas' rivers and lakes; however, surf and deep-sea fishing the Gulf of Mexico was his ultimate passion. With all said, Elroy cannot be sugar-coated. He is a testament of Jesus taking us just as we are. He will be just as loved and missed for his crusty, somewhat cantankerous demeanor that had a hidden tender side, his strong swear of tongue (at most times in German), as well as his unfiltered but respected opinions. Tired and weak, Elroy made a final confession of his faith in Jesus the evening of Jan. 2, 2018, according to John 3:3 and John 3:16. This simple confession, led by his daughter, wrote Elroy s name in the Lamb s Book of Life, making the way to his final home in Heaven. Elroy is preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Felix and Norma Beyer; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth (Raymond) Raute, Marvin Beyer and Raymond Beyer. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marian Lindeburg; daughter and son-in-law, Dianna Marian and Ivey William Smith of Tarpley; sisters-in-law, Mary Beyer and Clara Beyer; along with many nieces, nephews and extended family. Also, he was loved, enjoyed and will be missed by his caregivers and staff at Bandera Nursing and Rehabilitation as well as those at his former home, Medina Valley Health and Rehabilitation, Castroville. Memorial service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 10, 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hondo. Private interment will be held at a later date at the Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hondo.