Colonel Todd L Eads

Colonel Todd L. Eads (Ret), 77 of Charles Town, WV, formerly of Elkhart, died Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Hospice of the Panhandle in Kearneysville, WV.

Col. Eads was born May 17, 1945, in Wabash Indiana to the late Jack and Miriam Eads. Also preceding him in death are son, Scott Randall Eads and granddaughter, Madelyn Marie Eads.

On September 1, 2001, Col. Eads married the former Valorie J. Franklin in Elkhart, Indiana. She survives along with five children: Todd Jr., Stacy (Mike Klever), Scott Lyle (Emily), Brent, and Jeffrey (Kristen). Also surviving are 5 grandchildren and siblings Brad (Karen) and Cindy (Bob Hofstetter).

In 1968, Col. Eads graduated from Wabash College and was a member of Beta Theta Phi fraternity. He earned 2 masters degrees from Indiana University in Business Administration.

Col. Eads proudly served over 41 years in the U.S. Army, with 20 of those years in Special Forces. Deployments included: Bosnia, Germany, Iraq, Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom. His Special Forces assignment include CDR 1st Bn 12th SFGA, DCO JSOTF SOCEUR and Executive Officer SOCCENT.

In civilian life, Todd Eads was employed by several firms in Project Administration/Construction Management. Most recently 17 years at Elkhart Community Schools and finished his career at St. Mary's College. He was actively involved with the Elkhart Community Humane Honor Society as the chair of the building committee. Todd was also key in establishing the "We Honor Veterans" Program for the Center of Hospice Care of northern Indiana and volunteered.

Todd's greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. He loved watching them grow and participate in their passions: basketball, softball, and dance. Attending their events and being with them was always the highlight of his day and he was so proud to be their dad and grandpa. Todd also enjoyed his constant companions, his Golden Retrievers, who followed him everywhere.

Private family services will be held at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home with Chaplain Dave Severance officiating. Inurnment will occur at Rice Cemetery where full military honors will be rendered.

Memorial contributions in memory of Colonel Eads may be made to the American Cancer Society at 111 E Ludwig Rd. Suite 105, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 or The American Heart Association at 3816 Paysphere Circle Chicago, IL 60674. 

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