ERIE — Roger Earl Elston, age 85, of Swanville Rd., formerly of Parkside at Westminster, Rustic Lane, Erie, Pa. and Ashtabula, Ohio, died Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pa. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and Friend.
Born in Cortland, Ohio, on July 8, 1923, he was the son of the late Thomas B. and Ruby Cozad Elston.
He was a 1941 graduate of Johnston Ohio High School and graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. in 1950.
He served in the Air Corps from 1944 – 1946, in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre. He worked for Sears Roebuck for 35 years, retiring in 1985.
He was a member of the Church of the Cross Presbyterian Church, CHOSEN Mission Project, Sear’s Retirees Club, Lakewood Lads and Lassies Square Dance Club, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Legion Post 773.
He was an ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church and served as Financial Secretary for 10 years. He served as treasurer of the Ashtabula High School Band Boosters, CHOSEN Mission Project and Sears Retiree’s Club.
He enjoyed camping, traveling, square dancing, carpentry and canoeing.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois Anne Allen Elston; two sons, Dr. Tom H. Elston of Irvine, Calif. and David A. Elston and his partner Rob Pollock of Dorchester, Mass.; three daughters, Marcia Males and her husband, Dr. James Males of Corvallis, Ore., Nancy Anderson and her husband, Phillip of Waterville, Ohio and Amy Hunt and her husband, Chris of Waterford, Pa.; one sister, Gladys Trosper and her husband, Leland of Akron, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Nathan, Devin and Teal Elston, Jared and Josh Males, Seth and Jeremy Anderson and Vikkie and Jason Hunt; and one great-granddaughter, Kaylee Hunt.
There will be a Celebration of Roger’s life on his birthday, July 8th, at Church of the Cross, 5901 Millfair Road, Fairview, Pa. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Services at 11 a.m., with the Reverend James McCormack officiating.
Burial will be in Kinsman Ohio Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Church of the Cross Building Fund, 5901 Milfair Road, Fairview, Pa.16415 or to Chosen Mission Project, 3638 W. 26th St., Erie, Pa. 16506.
Arrangements entrusted to BURTON WESTLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 3801 W. 26th St. at Powell Ave., Erie, Pa.
Obituary and condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com and starbeacon.com.
