Robert Paul Elmerick

Robert P. (Sam) Elmerick age 89 of North Canton passed away September 16, 2008 at Wade Park VA Hospital, Cleveland, OH. He was born April 6, 1919 in Hartville to the late Henry & Dora (Griggy) Elmerick and was raised in Suffield, OH on a 130 acre farm. In 1940 he joined the Ohio National Guard and was sent to Camp Shelby and assigned to Ohio 37th Division. After training, he transferred to the 5th Army Air Corps as a tail gunner on a B17. The 5th Air Cops was sent to Pearl Harbor and in June were engaged in the Battle of Midway. As a result of this action he was awarded the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross; for duty over Papua, New Guinea he received several additional medals. Sam as he was known to his friends spent a total on nine years in the service to our country. In 1952 he was employed by Riley Printing and Photostat Company and then sent to Calgary, Alberta working with the Canadian Government in the oil fields. He lived in Calgary for 54 years, returning to North Canton in December 4, 2006. Sam was a member of Catholic War Veterans, Our Lady of Lourdes Post #1325, St. Joseph, OH. While in Calgary Sam was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served as an usher for many years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Lucille Schaefer, an infant brother Richard H. Elmerick, a sister in law and three brothers in law: Mary Elmerick, Leon Schaefer, Ralph Jordan and Leonard Pastore. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Marie (Barnes) Elmerick with whom he shared 62 years of marriage; three brothers and four sisters, Sylvan G. Elmerick of Canton, John H. Elmerick of Palmetto, FL, Francis H. (Linda Glutting) Elmerick of North Canton, Beatrice Jordan of Fairlawn, Oh, Dolores Ann Pastore of Gilbert, AZ, Ruth (William P.) Horning of North Canton, Agnes (Henry O.) Taylor of Georgetown, TX; many nieces and nephews. Special friends from Calgary are Ben & Danusia Steblecki, Ila Robinson and Jackie Burfitt. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday September 22, 2008 at 9:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Massillon, Fr. Raymond Paul will officiate. Burial will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Massillon Post #221. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. A special thanks to Dr. Raymond Flasck and his staff of Uniontown, OH., and Kelley, Shelia and Jennifer of Heather Ridge. In lieu of flowers make donations to the Little Flower Grotto Fund, 2040 Diamond St., Canton, OH 44721. Messages of support and sympathy can be sent to www.paquelet.com. Paquelet – Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330-833-3222