Elton W. Anderson, age 93, a resident of Lombard, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2026. He was born July 18, 1933, in Menominee, Michigan, to Arthur and Anna (née Durow) Anderson.

Elton grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Wallace, Michigan. He grew up knowing his future wife, Joyce Lindholm as their parents were close friends. Their friendship eventually grew into a marriage lasting nearly 70 years.

Elton had a natural curiosity and a love of learning that stayed with him throughout his life. He attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. While at IIT, he was also part of the Air Force ROTC program. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant and went on to serve nearly five years in the military. During his service, he taught navigation and was honorably discharged as a Captain. Elton continued his education later in life, earning a master’s degree from Midwest College of Engineering in the 1980s. His career in engineering included working for Illinois Bell Telephone and Automatic Electric before joining Fermilab, where he spent 29 years before retiring.

His faith was at the center of Elton’s life. He often spoke of his lifelong instructor being his Savior, Jesus Christ. He served in numerous congregations over the years as a Sunday School teacher, which included teaching a popular series on the book of Genesis. He also served as an elder and gave his time to many boards and committees. Elton was a member of Compass Church in Wheaton (formerly Wheaton Evangelical Free Church) for 26 years.

Retirement gave Elton even more time to explore his many interests. He earned his amateur radio license with his call sign being: W9IVT. He enjoyed photography, lapidary work, and jewelry making. He liked working with stones and making things with his hands. He also had a true green thumb and loved gardening. He took gentle care for his orchid plants and was proud of his roses as well as many other flowers.

Elton enjoyed building and operating radio controlled boats and found plenty of projects to keep his mind and hands busy. In retirement, he also took up baking bread. He was the kind of person who was interested in just about everything and was always willing to learn something new.

Above all, Elton will be remembered for his faith, his love of learning, his many interests, and the steady presence he was to the people around him. He lived a long and full life, always finding something new to learn, make, grow, or share with others.

Elton will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Joyce, his family, friends, and the many people whose lives he touched throughout his 93 years.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Joyce; his children Mary Beth (Bill) Anderson, Mark (Melissa) Anderson and Stephen (Paula) Anderson; his grandchildren Julie, Sarah & Katie; Kirsten & Justin; and Anna, Emily & Ryan. Also survived by his great-granddaughter Ellie; his brothers Everett (the late Joan) & Paul (the late Carol) Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Alice & Martha; and his brother Edwin (Jean) Anderson.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Saturday, September 5, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will be held at Mellen Cemetery in Wallace, Michigan.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or Midwest Creation Fellowship, PO Box 101185, Chicago, IL 60610.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.