FINKE, Elmer 1926-1963

FINKE, GROSS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/6/2012 at 18:01:10

Elmer Finke Dies Suddenly Friday; Services Tuesday

The community was shocked and saddened by news of the sudden death of Elmer Finke, which occurred at his home around 8 o'clock Friday evening, from a heart attack.

Funeral services were held at the Wellsburg Reformed Church Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. following prayer service at the Doyen Funeral Home. The Rev. William Kroom officiated, assisted by the Rev. Carl Toeset and the Rev. Peter Larsen. A quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Abels, Mrs. Harris Peters and Richard Ross sang "Does Jesus Care" and In the Hour of Trial". Miss Marcella Neessen was organist.

The flowers were cared for by Mrs. Janet Rademaker and Mrs. Ted W. VanDeest. Leonard Gelder, Woodrow Lindaman, Edward H. Harms, Bernard A. Engelkes, William Schmidt and John D. Beving were pallbearers. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Following the committal service graveside military rites were conducted by the local Veterans' Posts.

Mr. Finke was born February 3, 1926, on a farm in Colfax township in Grundy County, the son of Chris and Florence Finke. He attended the rural school in the local district.

On Christmas Day, 1951, he was united in marriage to Josephine Gross by Rev. A. W. Malin in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. They made their home in Wellsburg following their marriage. For a short period he worked for the Wellsburg Creamery, then began working for Meyer's Market & Lockers. On December 1, 1957, he purchased the latter business, which he continued to operate until the time of his death.

For the past year Mr. Finke had suffered from a heart ailment. He spent a great deal of time in the hospital during this time, however his cheerful personality and outlook on life still made it possible for him to enjoy his family and friends.

On April 6, 1941 he was confirmed in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and in 1956 he transferred his membership to the Wellsburg Reformed Church. At the time of his death he was serving his first term as a Deacon in the church. He was a Sunday school teacher and as long as health permitted was a member of the church choir and the men's quartet.

Those who preceded him in death were: an infant son, Scott Allen; three infant sons born prematurely, his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Finke; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Henry Ascher, Sr.

Surviving Mr. Finke are: his wife, Josephine; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Finke of Wellsburg; a sister, Miss Lillian Finke of Waterloo; a brother, Arthur Finke of Oran; and his maternal grandfather, Henry Ascher, Sr. of Aplington.

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 4 July 1963