Elmer S Mekker Sr

Elmer S Mekker Sr. passed away on July 30, 2014. He was born August 11, 1934 on Griffing Ave in Cleveland, OH. He graduated from St. Margaret's of Hungary School in 1948, St Benedictine High School in 1952, TRW Apprentice in 1961 and college at Fenn College and John Carroll University . Elmer started full time work at Thompson Products, later known as TRW Inc., in November 1952. For 41 years, he worked at various locations, spending the last 20 years of his career as the Sr. Product Assurance Specialist for TRW aircraft fuel pumps. Elmer was drafted into the US Army in April 1955 serving in England as a 75mm anti aircraft technician. He continued his service in the US Army Reserves until 1984 when he retired from the 2077th USAR school as a Sr. Instructor with a rank of Master Sergeant E8 and was awarded an accommodation medal. Elmer was a member of the S.M.A. Club, EOUV Club and the Gottscheer Blaskapelle Brass Band. He managed the Gottscheer Blaskapelle for over thirty plus years, traveling to perform in northeastern USA, Canada and two trips to Germany and Austria. The last 20 years he played the base drum for the band. Elmer's favorite past time was his two children, tent camping, motor home traveling, boating and most of all dancing. Elmer started dancing in first grade at St. Margaret's Fall Festival on E. 116th St and then started performing at various Fall Festivals on Buckeye Rd. He enjoyed dancing at various Oktoberfests around Cleveland. He hired and monitored the performance of bands and dancers for Steve Bencic's Oktoberfest for 5 years. During his retirement years, he danced 3-4 nights a week at various Polka dances around northeast Ohio. Elmer is survived by his daughter Diane Robert Beavers, son Elmer S Elizabeth Mekker Jr, Special Friend Marty Cromwell, siblings Joseph Dorothy, Frank Judy – Deceased, Mary Lee Ron Ryan, James Tish, many nieces and nephews and friends in the Polka world. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday August 4, 2014 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 1730 Mount Carmel Dr Wickliffe, OH 44092. Visitation will be on Sunday August 3, 2014 from 3 – 7 PM at the Monreal Funeral Home 35400 Curtis Blvd, Eastlake. Burial will immediately follow at All Souls Cemetery. Family suggests contributions be made to The American Cancer Society 10501 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106 or Wounded Warriors Project P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Immediately following the burial, the family cordially invites all family and friends to Sterle's Country House 1401 East 55th Street Cleveland, OH 44103, to celebrate a great man's life, and dance to polka music.

Elmer S Mekker Sr

August 11, 1934 - July 30, 2014

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