WAPAKONETA, OHIO - Clifford J. "Cliff" Elsass, 79, of rural Wapakoneta, died at 2:07 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, at Auglaize Acres.
He was born June 2, 1924, in Shelby County to William and Matilda (King) Elsass. On Feb. 14, 1946, he married Mildred E. "Millie" Elsass, and she died Feb. 27, 2003.
Survivors include two daughters, Connie (Joe) Yahl of St. Marys and Jo Ann Leutheuser of Saline, Mich.; a son, Ronald (Becky) Elsass of Wapakoneta; eight grandchildren, Suzanne (Duane) Rogers, Vickie (Doug) Wehner, Vern (Amy) Yahl, Vincent Yahl, Laurie (Josh) Stevens, Kristy Yahl, Mandy Knueve and Adam Elsass; three great-grandchildren, Brianna and Brandy Rogers and Brooke Yahl; a sister, Vola (Roland) Kantner of Wapakoneta; two brothers, Ralph (Helen) Elsass of Dayton and Nelson "Pete" (Pat) Elsass of Wapakoneta; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Elsass and Jean Elsass, both of Wapakoneta.
Mr. Elsass was proceeded in death by his parents; a sister, Mildred Elsass, and three brothers, Vernon Elsass, Raymond (Alvena) Elsass and Christian Elsass.
A farmer, Mr. Elsass retired in 1989 from Ford Motor Co.'s Lima Engine Plant. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Aerie 691, both in Wapakoneta. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and a former member of the American Legion Post 330 in Wapakoneta. His hobbies included playing cards and dancing.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Wapakoneta with the Rev. Tom Morrison officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memory Gardens near Moulton, where military graveside services will be conducted by the Wapakoneta Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home in Wapakoneta and one hour before the service Wednesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Auglaize Acres Activity Fund or the charity of the donor's choice.
