Edward Paul Elsner passed away on July 26, 2016 in Livonia, Michigan at age 97. He was born October 22, 1918 to John and Mary (Overmeir) Elsner in Ewen, Michigan. He was the youngest of 15 children. He was the last surviving member of the Ewen High School Class of 1937.
After moving to Detroit during WWII, he met Myrtle Lee Crow. They were married June 24, 1944 in Detroit. They recently celebrated their 72nd Anniversary. She died July 4, 2016.
He had been a resident of Livonia for over 50 years. He owned Elsner & Sons, Inc. Carpenter Contractors, retiring in 1980. He was a member of the Plymouth Elks. Coming to the Detroit area from the U.P., his love of the outdoors, fishing and hunting lasted his entire life.
Survivors included three children, Barbara Mieras of Ada, MI, Robert (Marcia) Elsner of Plymouth, MI and Gene Elsner of Canton, MI; seven grandchildren - Jack (Maya) Donnelly, Colleen (Mark) Maire, Matthew (Jennifer) Mieras, Michael Elsner and (Bethany Allen), Elizabeth (Kurosh) Nahavandi, Brian Elsner and Kevin Elsner; 5 great-grandchildren Casey Donnelly, Virginia Mieras, Edward Mieras, Aria Nahavandi, Cyrus Nahavandi; step-granddaughter, Dawn Mieras and her son Jaxson Symes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: John, Frank, Alex, Michael, James, Joseph, Fred and George Elsner; sisters, Mae Kausie, Josephine Elsner, Agnes Lorendo, Evelyn Smith, Catherine Murphy and Marjorie Moll.
A Memorial Gathering with the family will be held for both Ed and Myrtle, July 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 12:00 p.m. at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Edward and Myrtle Elsner to the Alzheimer;s Association, Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, Michigan 48033-7443