R. Elmer Ouderkirk, 84, of Garner, Iowa, formerly of Reynolds, died Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, at his home. 

Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 9, at the United Methodist Church in Garner. A flag presentation ceremony was conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.  Burial was held Saturday, Oct. 10, at Western Cemetery in Orion.

Memorials may be made to the Garner United Methodist Church or the donor’s charity of choice.

Roy Elmer Ouderkirk was born April 25, 1925, in Reynolds, the son of Dr. Roy and Edith (Taylor) Ouderkirk. He graduated from Reynolds High School in 1943. Elmer served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre.  After his honorable discharge, he returned to Illinois and attended Western Illinois State College, Macomb. On Aug. 28, 1949, he married Virginia Hill in Orion.

Elmer continued his education at Iowa State University,  Ames, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry.

Elmer worked in sales at Quaker Oats before joining Diamond V Mills in Cedar Rapids.  He was employed by the federal government in the soil conservation service for 26 years,  retiring in 1987.

In 1997, Elmer and Virginia moved from New Hampton, Iowa, to Garner to be closer to family.  Elmer enjoyed visiting with family, gardening, camping, reading and watching movies, and he was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

Education was very important to Elmer. He was proud to have all of his children graduate from college.

He was a member of the Garner United Methodist Church, American Legion and  NARFE, and he was a past member of an RV camping group.

 Elmer is survived by his wife, Virginia of Garner; six children, Larry (Mary Lou) Ouderkirk of Frederick, Md., Linda (Duane) Jurgemeyer of Klemme, Iowa, Bruce (Nancy) Ouderkirk of Eau Claire, Wis., Sandra Olson of Altoona, Iowa, Sheryl (Steven) Greene of New Richmond, Wis., and Sara (Eric) Wester of Cleghorn, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, Mike, Katie and Megan Ouderkirk, Amy Jurgemeyer, Lisa (Shelby) Kobes,  Kimberly Jurgemeyer, Cristy and Melissa Ouderkirk, Jason and Laura Olson, Cody and Bryan Greene, and Kyle, Andrea and Christopher Wester; three great-grandchildren, Mya Foelske and Conner and Brayden Kobes; and a brother, Mason (Florence) Ouderkirk of Indianola, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Pamela Sue; a son-in-law, Rodney Olson; and his step-mother, Myrtle.