Eldon "EJ" Gries, beloved husband and soul mate of Linda (Van Evera) Gries, died peacefully in the Methodist Hospital on Saturday October 15, 2016 at age 74. Eldon is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Karla Gries, sister Lorraine, brothers Lawrence, Vernon, and Francis (Ruth). He was preceded in death by his father Ernest Gries and his mother Helen (Plendl) Gries, daughter Victoria Gries, brothers Kenneth and Junior Gries. 

Eldon was born at home near Kingsley-Pierson Iowa to Ernest and Helen Gries. He graduated from Hinton Community High School in 1960. He entered the US Army Reserve and served for 6 years. From 1960, he worked for the Iowa Department of Public Safety continuously for 37 years, which included a position in the driver's license department, Iowa State Highway Patrol Academy, Iowa State Highway Patrol Trooper, and MCSAP Officer. 

He married Linda, his high school sweetheart, in 1964. Eldon and Linda welcomed into their home and hearts two daughters, Victoria and Karla and were faithful in providing them a foundation of loving guidance. After retiring from the ISP, he served in the Federal Court House in Des Moines as a security officer for 5 years. 

Eldon was an active member of Ss John and Paul Catholic Church in Altoona Iowa, the Iowa State Police Association, and the Iowa State Troopers' Association. His Loves were God, family, cars, golf, caring for and mowing our yard and acreage, and the "CAVE" coffee meetings. 

Services will be held at Ss John and Paul Catholic Church. Visitation on Monday, 10/24/16 from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM. Funeral Mass Tuesday, 10/25/16 at 10:30 AM. Interment at Glendale Cemetery to follow. 

Memorial donations can be made to the John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines, or Ss John & Paul Catholic Church in Altoona.