I am El's son, Greg. Your contact information under the
title "517 Parachute Combat Team" was on his computer.
I am writing to you from my father's e-mail account in the
hope that I am reaching all the important people in his life from any and all
times and across all the amazing paths he traveled at one time or another in
his life.
El passed away a little after 7:00 AM this morning from sudden
heart failure. His passing was very quick and he experienced no compromises in
his lifestyle and health in the days preceding his passing. In fact, he made
two parachute jumps on his 80th birthday in October.
He had spent the previous day with nearly all of his children
and grandchildren celebrating a late Christmas with his wife of 53 years,
Norma.
His wishes were for cremation and they will be honored.
Details regarding services and a celebration of his life will be determined very
soon. These activities will very likely take place in the summer. We will
share this information as soon as it is available. Thank you in advance for
contacting anyone with this information whom you feel should also be
informed. I worry that his e-mail address book may not be complete
and that we might not be able to reach all those that should know about his
passing.
My mother will not be in a position to deal with
e-mail and this e-mail account will likely be closed very soon. I can
be contacted via e-mail at gharger@indy.rr.com with
any follow-up. I will return to my home and office on Monday, January 2nd
and be able to communicate with you if needed. Do not hesitate to
reply to me at this time using this e-mail address for my father and please
copy it to my email address also so it is not lost in the event that the service
is disconnected.
In place of any any flowers, etc. the family requests
consideration for a donation Specifically to Munising High
School's Track & Cross Country Team in his honor.
Running has been a 40 year long love & passion of El's and the
entire family. The school is:
Munising High School, M-28, Munising, MI
49862.
Thank you for who you were to my father and to all of us he
touched in some way, small & great, as we will always be indebted to you at
so many levels,