John Elmer, age 85, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at his home.
John Edward Elmer was born on January 21, 1938, in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the eighth of twelve children born to Francis and Marjorie Dell (Phipps) Elmer. His family moved to Paola in 1944, John graduated from Paola High School.
John began his working years, working with his father in the maintenance department at the Ursuline Academy in Paola. John worked in building maintenance and management in several cities throughout the United States before settling in Garnett in his retirement years.
John was a talented musician, he could make almost any instrument he played sound wonderful. He was a well known fiddle player, playing in the Funtimers Band for many years. He was an avid reader throughout his life, a late in life fall took his ability to read and play music and John missed them tremendously.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight siblings, Albert Elmer, Louise Garron, Ruth Elmer, Edna Hoffman, Melvin Elmer, John William Elmer (infant brother), Joseph Elmer, and Theresa Miller.
John is survived by his three sisters, Mary Stephens of Garnett; Katherine McSwain of Arlington, Texas, and Kathleen Dominick of Independence, Missouri; and countless nieces and nephews; and a special "adopted" son, Roger Mills of Richmond, Kansas.
Cremation will take place. Private family services are planned for a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.feuerbornfuneral.com