Elmer D. Schwarz

Elmer D. Schwarz, 85, of Home, KS, died Friday, January 24, 2014 at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville, KS. Visitation was Monday, January 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Kinsley Mortuary and one hour prior to service times at the church. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Monday, January 27, at St. Gregory's. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 28, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church. Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated. Rosemary Forst played the organ while the church choir sang “Here I Am Lord”, “Amazing Grace”, “On Eagles Wings”, “You Are Mine” and “How Great Thou Art”. The pallbearers were Dominic Schwarz, Patrick Baumgartner, Joseph Schwarz, Jonathan Schwarz, Joshua Schwarz, Dustin Leonard, Randell Brown and Dallas Leonard. The honorary pallbearers were Jeff Gray, Bob Harrison, Ron Hodgen, Bruce Leonard, Brice Leonard, Justice Schwarz and Robert Baumgartner. Burial was in St. Gregory's Catholic Cemetery. Elmer was born December 28, 1928, near Home, son of Emil J. and Bertha M. (Johnson) Schwarz. He went to Crane's Country School near Home and graduated from Marysville High School in 1946. On August 23, 1947, he married the love of his life, Isla Schmitz. They lived on the family farm where they enjoyed the life of a farming family. Elmer was a 4th degree member of Knights of Columbus. He helped start Home City fire department and loved to hunt and fish. He was known as a jack-of-all-trades and could fix about anything. He did carpenter work, plumbing and various mechanic jobs. Above all, he gave of himself unselfishly to others. Survivors include his seven children, Beverly Brown, Topeka, KS, Janet (Bob) Harrison, Topeka, David (Gerry) Schwarz, Home, KS, Theresa (Bruce) Leonard, Marysville, Marilyn (Ron) Hodgen, Yukon, OK, Patty (Bob) Baumgartner, Sabetha, KS, and Darrel (Vicki) Schwarz, Unadilla, NE; twenty-two grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, six step grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Isla, on June 4, 2013; parents; sister, DeLores Moscone; son-in-law, Edward Brown; grandson, Daniel Schwarz; and granddaughter, Paula Brown. A memorial fund has been established in his name and will be designated by the family. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elmer D. Schwarz, please visit our flower store.