Bernard Joseph “Barney” Elchert, 81, of Fulton Court, Tiffin, Ohio died at 2:55 am Monday August 21, 2006 in Tiffin Mercy Hospital. He was born on March 24, 1925 to the late Alex and Corinne (Rumschlag) Elchert. On June 26, 1948 he married Alice Goetz in St. Joseph Catholic Church. She died on October 19, 1998.
Surviving are 4 sons, Joe Elchert of Tiffin; Jim (Linda) Elchert of Denver, Colorado; John (Martha) Elchert of Russell, Pennsylvania; Jerry (Terri) Elchert of Tiffin; 5 daughters, Jane (John) Riggs of Eugene, Oregon; Peg (Tom) Renninger of Tiffin; Pat (Steve) Steyer of Tiffin; Therese (George) Vogel of Tiffin; Wendy (Shawn) Cleveland of Wooster, Ohio; 23 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 5 step- great grandchildren; 2 brothers-in-law, James C. Goetz of Tiffin; Carl (Dolores) Goetz of Bradenton, Florida; 2 sisters Juanita Elchert of Fostoria, Ohio; Mary (George) Siciliano of Mansfield, Ohio; and a sister-in-law, Donna Elchert of Fostoria, Ohio.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Alice; a daughter, Sharon Elchert; a grandson, Jacob Elchert; and 5 brothers, Vernon, Roland, Carl, Tom and Don Elchert.
Mr. Elchert was a 1943 graduate of St. Wendelin High School, in Fostoria. He had served in the United States Navy in the Pacific during WWII. He had been a Floom and Fleck employee for many years. He had retired from Tiffin Paper Company where he had worked as a buyer. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus as the past financial secretary, the Tiffin Serra Club, and the Holy Name Society.
He lived his life dedicated first to his God, his wife, Alice; and his family. He was an avid woodworker, and made many gifts for his children, grandchildren, and friends. He took great pride in his military service and enjoyed participating in the U.S. LST Association. In his later years he especially enjoyed swimming and having lunch with his friends from the Y.M.C.A. and also monthly lunches with his classmates.
The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am Thursday, August 24, 2006 in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 2-8 pm Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447- 3113. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will stand Honor Guard from 6-8 pm Wednesday. The Rosary will be recited 15 minutes prior to the funeral Mass at the church. The United Veterans Council of Seneca County will perform military rites at the gravesite.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Tiffin Calvert Foundation or to the Fostoria St. Wendelin Educational Foundation in care of Traunero Funeral Home.