Elmer J. Siefert, age 91 of Oldenburg, died Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus. Born July 18, 1928 in Ripley County Indiana, he is the son of Frances (Nee: Enneking) and Carl Siefert. Elmer served in the Air Force during the Korean War and after coming home, would go to work for the Srs. of St. Francis doing carpentry and maintenance for over 45 years before retiring. He married Carolyn Hemke July 29, 1953 at St. Michael’s Church in Brookville and she preceded him in death on May 30, 2009. He was a member of Holy Family Church, Knights of Columbus Council #1461 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271.
Working in maintenance and having a carpenter’s background, Elmer loved to tinker. He was always looking to improve how something functioned. His kids teased that he liked to re-invent the wheel. Some of his interests included being a Reds, Bengals and Batesville Bulldogs fan. Elmer liked playing Scrabble, read any magazine or newspaper he could find and enjoyed working in his flower beds and vegetable plots. He also served on the Holy Family Bereavement Committee for 15 years and back in the day, ran the projector for the Gibson Theater. Being a child of the depression, Elmer never wasted anything and was always looking at ways to recycle things.
He is survived by his daughters Marcia Bischoff of Batesville, Monica Mares of Destin, Florida, Mary Wallpe of Enochsburg, Melissa Barnett of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; sons Mike Siefert of Nashville, Tennessee, Mark Siefert of Batesville, Melvin Siefert of Plainfield, Indiana; 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren with twins on the way. He is preceded in death by his wife and parents.
Visitation is Sunday, March 8th, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Monday, March 9th at Holy Family Church with Rev. Carl Langenderfer officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271 and the Ripley County V.F.W. Post #3183. The family requests memorials to the Holy Family Church Capital Improvement Fund or the Batesville Athletic Boosters.