Eldo Venancio "Papi" Lao

Eldo Venancio Lao "Papi", 85 left this world to meet his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. He was born April 1, 1940, in Deleyte, Cuba, to Juan Lao-Chuy and Marina Ramirez-Velasquez.

He came to the United States in 1967, as a 27-year-old man, with the Bridges of Freedom Program, where he was reunited with his wife and children.

In his early years he worked at Brammer's Furniture and Chrysler Corp. In later years he worked at Ferodo America and Chatsworth before retirement. After Eldo retired, he enjoyed spending time with family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved Cincinnati Reds Baseball, especially the Big Red Machine, fishing and boxing. Eldo truly enjoyed playing pranks on his friends and family.

Left to cherish his memory, his wife, Elsa A. Tabares Lao, who he married Sept. 20, 1962; daughters, Teresita Lao, Leonor (Gary) New, Elizabeth (Karl) Niles; son, John R. Lao; grandchildren, Sarah (Cory) Ford, Staci (Seth) Conley, Sabrina (Cory) Criswell, Alex (Hailey) Chamberlin, Mercy Jumbo, Francesca Lao-Niles, and Noah Niles; eleven great-grandchildren; his sisters, Elida Lao and Eldia Lao; several nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A Celebration of Life will be at First Presbyterian Church where he was an active member for 58 years. He served as a trustee for many years.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at First Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 491, New Castle, IN 47362 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, honoring Sabrina Criswell's cancer fight from her younger days. Everyone is welcome to wear baseball gear, Cincinnati Reds if you have it.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. You may express condolences or share a memory of Eldo at www.hinsey-brown.com.