Gerald Eldridge, 72, of Phillipsburg, died Sunday, April 20, 2003 in his home.

He was a machine operator for the Oxford Textile, Inc., Oxford, NJ and was a member of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees, (UNITE!) AFL-CIO, Local 2247.

Born July 4, 1930 in Phillipsburg, he was the son of the late Lewis, Sr., and Flossie Scribbner Eldridge.

He will be fondly remembered for his love of his family, fishing, gardening and his great cooking.

He was a member of the Citizen's Hose Co., the Liberty Hose company and Club Mohican, all in Easton.

He and his wife, the former Barbara K. Henderson, observed their 4th wedding anniversary last May 9th.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Dale of Phillipsburg and Gerald of Williams Twp.; two daughters, Sheri Ike of Mt. Bethel and Tina Quick of Wescosville; a brother, Leonard of Lopatcong Twp.; a step-son, Charles Kappes; six step-daughters, Betty Frankenfield and Christine Mundy of Phillipsburg, Donna Mundy of Bangor, Barbara Naia of Easton and Diane Haun of East Stroudsburg; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and fifteen step-grandchildren. His first wife, the former Gertrude Walters, a brother Lewis, Sr. and a sister Edith Mickel all died earlier.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg. The Rev. Randy Nelson, pastor of the Phillipsburg Alliance Church, Phillipsburg will preside. Burial will be in the Phillipsburg Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 7-9 pm in the funeral home. Online condolences may be submitted at www.noto-wynkoop.com.