GARNER - R. Elmer Ouderkirk, 84, of Garner died Monday (October 5, 2009) at his home.

Funeral services will be held 11 A.M., Friday at the United Methodist Church in Garner with Pastor Tim Rieckhoff-Faris officiating. A flag presentation ceremony will be conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Burial will be held 1:30 P.M., Saturday at Western Cemetery in Orion, Illinois.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Thursday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St. in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be made in his name to the Garner United Methodist Church or the donor's charity of choice.

Roy Elmer Ouderkirk, the son of Dr. Roy and Edith (Taylor) Ouderkirk, was born April 25, 1925 at Reynolds, Illinois. He graduated from Reynolds High School in 1943. Elmer served his country during WW II in the U.S. Navy in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. After his honorable discharge he returned to Illinois and attended Western Illinois State College in Macomb. On August 28, 1949 he married Virginia Hill at Orion. Elmer continued his education at Iowa State University in Ames where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Husbandry. Elmer worked in sales at Quaker Oats before joining Diamond V Mills in Cedar Rapids. He was then employed by the federal government in the soil conservation service for 26 years before retiring in 1987. In 1997, Elmer and Virginia moved from New Hampton to Garner to be closer to family. Elmer enjoyed visiting with family, gardening, camping, reading, watching movies and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. Education was very important to Elmer. He was proud to have all of his children graduate from college.

He was a member of the Garner United Methodist Church, American Legion, NARFE and was a past member of an RV camping group.

Elmer is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Garner; six children, Larry (Mary Lou) Ouderkirk of Frederick, MD, Linda (Duane) Jurgemeyer of Klemme, Bruce (Nancy) Ouderkirk of Eau Claire, WI, Sandra Olson of Altoona, Sheryl (Steven) Greene of New Richmond, WI and Sara (Eric) Wester of Cleghorn, IA; fifteen grandchildren, Mike, Katie and Megan Ouderkirk, Amy Jurgemeyer, Lisa Kobes, Kimberly Jurgemeyer, Cristy and Melissa Ouderkirk, Jason and Laura Olson, Cody and Bryan Greene and Kyle, Andrea and Christopher Wester; three great- grandchildren, Mya Foelske and Conner and Brayden Kobes; and a brother, Mason (Florence) Ouderkirk of Indianola.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Pamela Sue; a son-in-law, Rodney Olson; and his step-mother, Myrtle. ... Read More