Elmer Vierkant

 Elmer Harold Vierkant, 85, of El Cajon, Calif., died May 21, 2014. Elmer, son of Hazel and Harry B. Vierkant, loving husband of Mary Jo Vierkant, passed away at Lakeview Hospice Home in La Mesa, Calif., after a courageous fight with cancer.
He was born in Osage and raised in the Mason City and Rockwell, Iowa, area. He was the eighth of nine children. Elmer joined the 

Marines at age 17 and was stationed at Camp Elliott. He married Mary Jo Campbell in 1948 and his twin daughters were born in 1949 when he was a senior at the Mason City High School. He worked nights at Armours and went to high school and junior college during the day. He moved his family to Los Angeles in 1952 and attended the California College of Mortuary Science. He served his internship under the direction of Milton Paris of Paris Mortuary. Elmer then moved to Lewis Colonial Mortuary where he served as a funeral director for several years. In 1961, he returned to Paris Mortuary as manager.
During his life Elmer had many achievements. He was a member of El Cajon 20-30 Service Club, El Cajon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Mother Goose Board of Directors, Parade President, El Cajon Valley Lions Club (1960-2014), El Cajon Boys Club Board of Directors, El Cajon Elks Lodge No. 1812 (1968-2014), El Cajon Sister City Committee, President of San Diego County Embalmers Association, President of San Diego County Funeral Directors Association and Honorary Grand Marshall for the Descanso Parade and Fair twice.
Elmer loved to fish, camp, restore antiques, read and gather treasures at the swap meet. He enjoyed socializing with friends and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 66 years and four daughters, Sherry (David) Kingsbury, Mary (John) Meisner, Judith (Richard) Gass and Sandra (Michael) Safford. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, one preceding him in death; five great-grandchildren; sister, Hazel Darg, Rockwell; sisters-in-law, Irene Ginapp, Rockwell, and Wilda Vierkant, Springfield, Mo.; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Chris Campbell,Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Benjamin, David “Newton”, Paul and Harry; three sisters, Faye in infancy, Ruth Kohler and Helen Parks; brothers-in-law, Karl Kohler, Victor Parks, and Robert Darg; sisters-in-law, Hilda Vierkant, Lois Vierkant and Nora Bremner; and father and mother-in-law, Joe and Pearl Campbell.
He was blessed with a long life and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice.