Andrew Anthony Elmer

Our beloved father and grandfather, Andrew Elmer, passed away peacefully in his home September 30, 2016, at the age of 95.

Andy was born on August 21, 1921, in Akron, Ohio, to Steve and Eva Elmer. He attended St. Bernard's Grade School and Hower Vocational High School in Akron. He played baseball with the National A.C. and the Sohio A.C. Class A championship team of 1941 and Class A softball with the German American Club. He worked as a machinist at the B & W in Barberton, Ohio, R.H. Freitag in Akron, Ohio, and Gaugler Machine in Kent, Ohio.

Andy was a member of the "Greatest Generation" and extremely proud of his military service. He served as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Mobile (CL-63) and was on board when she entered Nagasaki Bay on September 14, 1945. He was later transferred to the U.S.S. Barr (APD-39) on October 28, 1945, and remained on that ship until her return to the United States in early 1946. Due to his extended service in and around Nagasaki, he suffered from the effects of radiation sickness. He was one of those now referred to as "Atomic Veterans."

Andy met his future wife, Donetta Barber, at a Navy USO dance. They were married in Akron in November 1946 and moved to California in 1952. He was a catcher for several AAA teams in California and has lived in the San Fernando Valley since 1957. He continued to work as a machinist until he retired at 72 years of age and, at the request of one of his employers, returned to part-time work until he was 80.

Andy is survived by his daughter Cathy Hinson and her husband Wayne, son Steve Elmer and his wife Sharline, granddaughter Ellyse Elmer, and many relatives and friends.

A graveside memorial service with military honors was held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Friday, October 7th, at 11:00 A.M.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to The USO, Wounded Warrior Project, or Disabled American Veterans.