Elmer Southard

Elmer Clifford Southard, 85, of Jackson passed away Friday, June 15, 2007, at his home.

He was born Aug. 11, 1921, in Safe, Mo., son of John C. and Minnie L. Givens Southard. He and Anita Maxine Ludwig were married Jan. 8, 1944, in Wichita, Kan.

Elmer served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was honorably discharged Nov. 17, 1943, as a tech 5.

He worked briefly at Boeing in Wichita and then the family moved to Jackson. Elmer worked five years at the former Kamp's Appliance in Jackson. In 1955 he established Southard's TV.

The Southards were members of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, where Elmer was active in the EUCC Brotherhood, formerly served on the church council, and ran the sound many years.

He was a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158, the sponsoring organization of the annual Homecomers celebration in Jackson. Elmer worked nearly 50 years as the provider and coordinator of sound and music for the annual event.

Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Maxine of Jackson; three children, Sandra Sue Wilfong of Barnhart, Mo., and her children Lonnie, Darren, and Troy; Judy Diana Klein of Jacksonville, Fla., and her son Scott; Elmer Jay (Jari) Southard of Jackson and their son Joshua; two sisters, Muriel Kelley of Cape Girardeau, Pauline Schluetter of St. Louis; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Gene, Howard, Herman, Willard and Carl Southard; and a son-in-law, Narvel L. Wilfong.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Interment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors.

Memorials are requested to Emanuel United Church of Christ Memorial Fund.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.