Elmer Zehr

Elmer P. Zehr, 88, of Hesston, died Feb. 4, 2009, at Hospice House of Hutchinson.

Born Jan. 19, 1921, in Bright, Ontario, Canada, he was the son of Emanuel and Emma (Brenneman) Zehr.

On Oct. 27, 1942, he married Violet Bender in Tavistock, Ontario. She died in 1991. He then married Emily Hughes in January 2005 in Hesston. She survives of Hesston.

He was a teacher, restaurateur, and insurance business owner and operator.

A sister, Ada Yantzi, preceded him in death.

Other survivors include five sons, Farrel Zehr of Highlands, N.C., Paul Zehr of Modesto, Calif., John Zehr of Harrison Valley, Penn., Dennis Zehr of Kansas City, and Timothy Zehr of Inman; two daughters, Carol Brown of Shawnee and Wanda Doig of Plain City, Ohio; a brother, Edward Zehr, Woodstock, Ontario; two sisters, Elizabeth Zehr of Tavistock, Ontario, and Dorthy Bechtel of Kitchener, Ontario; 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Services were Monday morning at Hesston Mennonite Church with pastors John Murray, Cheryl Hershberger, and Fred Obold officiating.

Burial preceded services at Eastlawn Cemetery, Hesston.

A memorial fund has been established with Habitat for Humanity in care of Miller Funeral Home, Hesston.