Earle Robert Elmer Jr.

Earle Robert Elmer was born into a Protestant family in Syracuse, New York on 23 July 1913. His parents, Earle Robert Elmer, Sr. and Margaret Gibson, met and fell in love at the World’s Fair a few years earlier. Earle was a strong, healthy baby boy and little brother to only sibling, Elizabeth Elmer who bossed him around as much as possible and ensuring he was kept on his toes, out of trouble and mostly out of her way. They of course became excellent friends over the years and Elizabeth was 96 when she preceded Earle in death in April 2007.

Earle was born when President Woodrow Wilson was serving as the 28th President of the United States. The 37th President of the United States, Richard Milhous Nixon, was born the same year. In 1913, a gallon of milk cost fourteen cents; a loaf of bread was eleven cents; the cost of a car averaged $804.00; and, a postage stamp was a mere two cents.

Earle was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He did not support war back then and was not a proponent of war in more recent years. During WWII Earle was stationed in the Pacific working as a radio operator. He served five years in the Army as a Captain encrypting messages and decoding orders.

Earle married Florence Stella Banta on 14 December 1944. From this union one son, Charles David Elmer, was born on 30 September 1945. Earle brought his family to Maryland in 1951, and was employed by Bendix Corporation. In 1963, Earle was relocated to Kansas City, Missouri by his employer. He retired from Bendix Corporation in 1978 (now Honeywell Corporation). Earle attended Paseo Presbyterian Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church while in Kansas City.

While searching for a church to call home, Earle attended, and from time-to-time taught Sunday School at the Mount Hebron Baptist Church. He later settled on Lochearn Presbyterian Church, under the leadership of Reverend Joseph Crawford. He served as a devoted member and Elder and volunteering in any way possible for over 20 years until his health began to fail when he began exhibiting the signs of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia.

After retirement, he started a handy man business and was self-employed for 13 years. He provided services for Senior Citizens such as odd jobs, grocery shopping and general repair work.

Earle drove EVERYWHERE until he was approximately 92 years old. It seemed that he either owned or was renting some type of a little red car. He not only travelled by car, Earle was a world-traveler. In later years he and his sister and long-time friend, Jack LeFleur, travelled together and stayed at Elder Hostiles within the States and made other exotic trips and cruised abroad.

Earle was an outgoing person and extremely humble! Generous, down-to-earth, a business man and fun-loving all serve to describe this man after God’s heart. Other than being called “Grandpa” by his two grandchildren, Earle was fondly referred to as “Father” by most within his extended family of the Blackwells and their friends and acquaintances.

Earle had an energetic lifestyle. He was a smart dresser and a whiz at coordinating complex plaids as he would wear a plaid shirt, pants, jacket and tie all of a different pattern though the colors would be complementary. He enjoyed knitting, crocheting, photography, watching public television, following the stock markets, attempting to manipulate the computer, travelling, Bingo, playing cards, going to the senior center, ballroom dancing, singing, whistling, listening to music (especially Ray Charles), and bowling. Earle also enjoyed sports and supported the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens.

Earle had a definite sweet tooth! Chocolate and chocolate ice cream was among Earle’s favorite treats. He would eat most anything else too with the exceptions of the despised sauerkraut and onions. In fact, his philosophy was “you can always eat”!

Earle strongly believed in working with others to reach a common goal and assisting those in need. Earle delivered Meals on Wheels throughout both Howard County, Maryland and Kansas City, Missouri. He was in his 80’s when he delivered in the hardest route of Howard County. He volunteered in every capacity imaginable within his church and with the Habitat for Humanity.

Earle leaves to cherish his memory and follow his example as he followed Christ his only child, Charles D. Elmer, Sr. of Laurel, Maryland; grandchildren Charles D. Elmer, Jr. and Ashleigh A. Elmer of Elkridge, Maryland, former daughter-in-law and guardian of many years, Beverly B. Elmer of Elkridge, Maryland; long-time travel companion Jack LeFleur of York, Pennsylvania; his extended family – The Blackwells, Prudens, Bostons, Lemons, Paynes, Clarks, Walkers, Sample-Beys, Godleys and Blues; his loving church family and friends of Lochearn Presbyterian Church – James and Marguerite Walker in particular; and other friends and loved ones.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home, Inc., 7250 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, MD on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, from 4 -7 p.m. A wake service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at Lochearn Presbyterian Church, 3800 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 10:30 a.m., followed by funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, Owings Mills, MD.

Contributions may be made in his memory to: Alzheimer’s Association and Habitat for Humanity

Arrangements under the direction of Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Elkridge, MD.