Eldon ‘Al’ Frank Fields
1944—2024
Eldon “Al” Frank Fields, 79, of Lebanon, Indiana, went to meet his heavenly Father on April 3, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Al was a generous man with a servant’s heart. He will be missed and remembered by the many lives he touched. His nickname of “cookie man” came from his love of baking and sharing molasses and chocolate chip cookies with friends and family and at church and community events. He was also famous for his yeast rolls, chicken and noodles, peanut butter fudge and chocolate gravy. You were blessed if you were invited to sit at his table and share a meal.
If Al was not cooking, he was fishing. He looked forward to warm weather each spring so he could get his boat out on the water and cast his rod. Without a doubt he was one of the last boats off the lake at the end of season, always trying to get in just one more fishing trip. Every chance he could, Al would rise early, grab a fishing buddy and head out on the boat, spending all day trying to catch as many catfish as possible. Al’s family is comforted knowing his fishing buddy Don was waiting in Heaven for him to swap stories and keep fishing.
Al was born in Martin County, Kentucky, on July 15, 1944, to Elmer and Mintie Jane (Caines) Fields, the youngest boy of nine children and his siblings would say his Mommy’s favorite. He graduated from Warfield High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He loved his Kentucky roots and especially bluegrass gospel music which reminded him of his childhood home.
Soon after graduation Al moved to Indiana, where he met his beloved wife Sue. They married in July 1965 and shared many wonderful years together. Al worked hard to build a beautiful life for his wife and children, taking care of them until his last days. He worked for United Technologies for 36 years, retiring in 2001.
Al is survived by his loving wife, Sue (Dickerson) Fields; his daughters, Rebecca (Mark) Young and Sue Ann (Bill) Sandlin, both of Brownsburg, Indiana; his favorite granddaughter, Emori Sandlin; sister Sandy (Ted) Carter of Lithopolis, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.
Al is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mintie Jane (Caines) Fields; brothers Virgil Fields, Pat Fields, Eddie Fields, Delmar Fields and Glen Fields; sisters Amy Jane Ward and Gaye Ann Fields.
Visitation will be at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 858 W 250 N, Lebanon, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2024, with the service at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon. Pastor Merv McNair will be officiating.
Al was a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church and loved his pastor and church family.
Flowers or memorial donations may be sent to Lighthouse Baptist Church, Lebanon.
Final care of Al has been entrusted to the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message at www.strawmyerdrury.com.