Elmer

Terry's grandfather, Elmer, passed away at his home with Terry's dad Jerry and his wife Dorothy at his side on Friday, September 2, 2011. His health had been failing for the last couple years and he was prepared to go but we miss him so much. He left behind a large family, completely intact - He was the first one out of 8 children, 22 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren to meet his Creator.

From the obituary:

"Elmer John was born October 30, 1921, in La Salle, Colorado to Elsie Marie and Lora John. He had a sister Lucille born in 1918 and a brother Fred born in 1924. The family later moved to Greeley, Colorado and Potter, Nebraska before settling in Billings, Montana in 1931.

"Elmer graduated from Billings High School in 1939. That was the same year the family started building a cabin in Red Lodge, Montana. The cabin was a vacation get-away then and still is today [where we vacationed August 2010].

"He moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1941 and worked as a civilian aircraft mechanic at Dayton Air Force Base. On April 13, 2942 he married Dorothy Jean. In the fall of 1942 he transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base and continued his employment as an aircraft mechanic. In the summer of 1943 Elmer joined the Army Air Force and served until December, 1945. All but 30 days of military time was served in Europe. After his discharge he returned to Ellsworth Air Force Base continuing in the mechanic field. In 1949 Elmer and Dorothy purchased land near Black Hawk and later started a dairy farm operation. In 1963 Elmer purchased a ranch south of Tilford to expand the dairy farm. While Dorothy and the kids ran the farm, Elmer served in various capacities in civil service. In 1966 he was appointed to chief of Production to coordinate the installation of minute man missile sites in Sedalia, MO; Great Falls, MT; Cheyenne, WY: Minot, ND, and finished his career at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1979. Elmer purchased and restored a damaged 1947 Navion airplane and enjoyed flying. He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church [where Terry had gone to since before birth, where we met and were married and moved away to come here] and made church a priority, seldom missing a Sunday. He also belonged to the Gideon organization. Elmer is survived by his wife of 69 years Dorothy, six sons: Darryl, Scenic; Bob, Helena, MT; Jim, Piedmont; Jerry, Tilford [Terry's dad]; Dallas, Piedmont; and David, Black Hawk; and two daughters, JoAnn, Gothenburg, NE; and Barb, Moorcroft, WY. Elmer was blessed with 22 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his stepfather and siblings.

"Elmer enjoyed traveling. The trip he shared the most about was to the Holy Land. This trip had a profound effect on his life and used it to further testify of his faith in God. His favorite trip was no doubt his family journey to be with his Savior on September 2, 2011"

We traveled home for the visitation on Wednesday, September 7, and the funeral and burial on Thursday, September 8. The funeral took place at the old building of our home E-Free church and Terry spoke for part of the service, representing the grandchildren. He did wonderful.

Elmer was given a 21 gun salute as a WWII vet.

The six sons were pallbearers: (left to right) Bob, Jerry, Dallas, Jim, David and Darrel.

Grandfather's large family were all there except 1 grandchild. We thought it was amazing that in a family so large, no one had ever been lost prior to Grandfather. He was the first to leave and he left his family completely intact. What a blessing.

As a tribute the family placed hearts on his coffin. Terry's is on the point.

Dorothy