IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Elmer F.
Elias
May 17, 1915 – August 14, 2008
Obituary
Elmer F. Elias, 93, of Mendota and Harlingen, Texas died Aug. 14, 2008 at St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 19 at Zion United Methodist Church, Mendota with Rev. Michael Morrell officiating. Merritt Funeral Home assisted the family.
Mr. Elias was born May 17, 1915 in Milwaukee, Wis. to Charles and Wilhelmina (Henke) Elias.
Survivors include his wife, Oris (Setchell); four children, John (Carol) Elias, Jeanne (Don) Osgood), Joyce (Richard) Ballard and Joan (James Meeker) Elias; four step children, Jay (Sherry) Setchell, Edith (Daryl) Alderson, Jane Potter and Scott (June) Setchell; seven grandchildren, Denise (Bob), Don, Deanne (Steve), Catherine (John), Jennifer, David and Kristi (Jim); four great grandchildren, Eleanor, Megan, Marian and James; and special grandchildren, Jacob and Amanda.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosemarie (Weber).
Mr. Elias was employed as an accountant by Wisconsin Power & Electric. One of his passions in life was dancing and he was best known for his positive influence on the square dance community. He taught many kinds of dance and was a leader in the field of round dancing. When he married Oris and moved to Mendota, he began teaching line dancing and continued to teach into his 90s. He enjoyed traveling the world and visited many countries. Late in his life, he began to appreciate opera and symphony and attended many performances with Oris. He was a generous volunteer with many organizations. He tutored elementary children in the HOSTS program in Texas, assisted with income tax preparation for low income families, delivered Meals on Wheels, organized books to be sold at the Methodist Church's annual garage sale and served as treasurer for the Harlingen, Texas concert series. He set a fine example of strength, honesty and compassion for others by living out his creed, "If it is to be, it is up to me."
Memorials may be directed to Zion United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church or the Mendota Christian Food Pantry.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 19 at Zion United Methodist Church, Mendota with Rev. Michael Morrell officiating. Merritt Funeral Home assisted the family.
Mr. Elias was born May 17, 1915 in Milwaukee, Wis. to Charles and Wilhelmina (Henke) Elias.
Survivors include his wife, Oris (Setchell); four children, John (Carol) Elias, Jeanne (Don) Osgood), Joyce (Richard) Ballard and Joan (James Meeker) Elias; four step children, Jay (Sherry) Setchell, Edith (Daryl) Alderson, Jane Potter and Scott (June) Setchell; seven grandchildren, Denise (Bob), Don, Deanne (Steve), Catherine (John), Jennifer, David and Kristi (Jim); four great grandchildren, Eleanor, Megan, Marian and James; and special grandchildren, Jacob and Amanda.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosemarie (Weber).
Mr. Elias was employed as an accountant by Wisconsin Power & Electric. One of his passions in life was dancing and he was best known for his positive influence on the square dance community. He taught many kinds of dance and was a leader in the field of round dancing. When he married Oris and moved to Mendota, he began teaching line dancing and continued to teach into his 90s. He enjoyed traveling the world and visited many countries. Late in his life, he began to appreciate opera and symphony and attended many performances with Oris. He was a generous volunteer with many organizations. He tutored elementary children in the HOSTS program in Texas, assisted with income tax preparation for low income families, delivered Meals on Wheels, organized books to be sold at the Methodist Church's annual garage sale and served as treasurer for the Harlingen, Texas concert series. He set a fine example of strength, honesty and compassion for others by living out his creed, "If it is to be, it is up to me."
Memorials may be directed to Zion United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church or the Mendota Christian Food Pantry.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elmer F. Elias, please visit our flower store.
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