David O. Elchert

Deacon David O. Elchert, 81, of Goshen,  passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born April 26, 1940 in Tiffin, Ohio to Eugene and Mary Louise (Hartzell) Elchert.

On June 23, 1962 he married Donna A. Meyer in Tiffin, Ohio.

She survives along with four children, Ronald (Leslie) Elchert, Norwalk, California, James (Becky) Elchert, Marysville, Ohio, Lisa (Timothy) Kierpiec, Goshen, and Robert (Emily) Elchert, Kalamazoo, Michigan; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four siblings, Marilyn Rohrbach, Tiffin, Ohio, Michael Elchert, Fostoria, Ohio, Victoria Sue Moore, Upper Sandusky, Ohio and Christopher Elchert, Tiffin, Ohio.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Rosalie Brickner and Betty Doerfer, and five brothers, infant Eugene, Gregory, Benedict, Nicholas and Timothy Elchert.

A U.S. Marine veteran, Mr. Elchert served from 1957-60. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1964 from Tiffin University. He owned and operated Merhow Industries, manufacturing deluxe horse trailers, for 24 years before retiring in January 2013.

He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where on May 21, 2011 he became the church’s second Deacon. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1991, where he served as a comptroller for eight years, and received his 4 ^th degree in 1995.

Deacon Dave especially enjoyed time with his family and was a model railroad enthusiast.

Friends may call Tuesday, August 10, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, where a 7:30 p.m. Rosary service will be led by Deacon Dave’s son, Deacon Jim.

An additional hour of visitation will begin Wednesday, August 11, at 9 a.m. prior to the 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Goshen. The Celebrant will be Father Royce Gregerson.

Burial with military honors will follow at Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Church.