NICKERSON - Orval O. "Big O" Eidson Sr., 72, of Nickerson, died January 3, 2012, at Sterling Presbyterian Manor in Sterling.

He was born May 30, 1939, in Stafford, the son of Orlando D. and Clola M. Miller Eidson.

He attended school in Ellinwood and Wichita and was a member of First Baptist Church of Nickerson. He was a past member of I.O.O.F. He was a truck driver for Mid-America Redi-Mix and later worked for the city of Nickerson.

Orval married Maxine M. Eldridge on June 22, 1963, in Nickerson. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Orval Eidson Jr. and wife Renee, Sterling; two daughters, Mona Koch, Salina, and Teresa Smith and husband Justin, Bridgeport; a brother, Virgil Eidson and wife Nancy, Nickerson; a daughter-in-law, Kandee Eidson, Sterling; and 10 grandchildren, Lucas Eidson, Meghan Eidson, Cody Smith, Lane Smith, Ryan Koch, Tarra Eidson, Amanda Koch, Kaine Eidson, Kiley Eidson and Skylar Eidson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Gaines W. Eidson, on Feb. 10, 2008.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012, at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will be in Wildmead Cemetery at Nickerson. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the family will greet friends from 7 to 8 p.m., all on Friday, January 6, 2012, at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Reno County or Sterling Presbyterian Manor, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson KS 67501.