Hutfilz, Elmer A. Hemlock, Michigan Passed away Thursday, December 29, 2016, at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, Palliative Care Unit, at the age of 95 years. Elmer was born August 13, 1921, in Merrill, Michigan, the son of the late Carl and Anna (Wardin) Hutfilz. He attended Zion Lutheran School and later Merrill High School, graduating as Valedictorian of the Class of 1940. He served with the US Army during World War II, serving the European-African-Mediterranean Theatre, as a radio operator. He engaged in dairy farming all of his life and was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). He was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving in various capacities. He married Velma Tester on June 5, 1954; she predeceased him January 28, 2014. Surviving are his two children, Suzanne (Giovanni) Catenacci and David Hutfilz; seven grandchildren: Rebecca (Scott) Mohler, Thomas (Alexandria Kukla) Neuenfeldt, Joel Hutfilz, Cheryl (Ryan) Warner, Kayla Rohde, Sarah Neuenfeldt, and Daniel (Kara) Neuenfeldt; five great-grandchildren: Trent, Desmond, Reuben, Elizabeth and Henry; his step-brother, Gerald Ford; his sister-in-law, Marion McRoberts; many nieces, nephews and their families. Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Gloria Hutfilz; one sister, Hilda Zastrow; two brothers, Wilbert and Melvin Hutfilz; two brothers-in-law, Wayne and Lyle Tester. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church, 17927 Dice Road, Hemlock. Rev. Paul Hauser will officiate. Military committal services under the auspices of the Hemlock-Merrill VFW Post #7302 will take place in Richland Lutheran Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 125 E. Saginaw Street, Merrill, from 2:00 8:00 p.m. on Monday, and then at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Zion Lutheran Church, Hemlock, or the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center Palliative Care Unit. Elmer's family extends special thanks to his caregiver, Sandy Boyer, the staff at Wellspring Lutheran Services and the staff at Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center Palliative Care Unit. www.casefuneralhome.com
Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company
125 East Saginaw Street
Merrill, MI
United States 48637