Elmer May

A man of great honor and integrity, Elmer May made a significant impact in the lives of those around him. Next to his faith there was no greater treasure in his life than the family who will carry on his timeless legacy.

Amidst the colorful decade of the Roaring Twenties a young couple from Alpine Township, Michigan, was blessed with the birth of a baby boy on March 8, 1923. Elmer John was the younger of two boys in his family and raised in farm country alongside his older brother, Carl. As a young boy he loved both fishing and ice fishing as well as hunting for deer and small game. Elmer attended St. Joseph Elementary through the eighth grade.

During the days of WWII Elmer joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Enterprise as part of the Pacific Theater. While in route to hostile waters the war came to an end so his ship was sent to Europe to bring troops home.

After serving for one and one-half years Elmer returned home where he soon met a local farm girl named Donna Marie DeBoer through mutual friends. The pair went to the Ionia Free Fair on a blind date, which marked the beginning of a dating relationship that spanned four years. Deeply in love, Elmer and Donna married on November 4, 1950.

The newlyweds initially lived with Elmer’s parents until they built a new home on the farm where he lived for the rest of his life. Together they were blessed with five children: Tom, Ken, Don, Julie, and Connie. The May family was members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and his faith played a vital role in Elmer’s life throughout his entire journey.

From the time he was a young boy farming was a way of life for Elmer. Along with his brother and father he purchased a farm on Fruitridge Avenue where they grew fruit and had dairy cattle. When he retired later in life Elmer’s boys took over the operation of the farm.

Elmer was deeply saddened with the death of his beloved Donna this past October, but his faith and family sustained him during the days that followed.

A true gift in the lives of many, Elmer May will be deeply missed.

Elmer J. May aged 88 of Alpine Township, passed away on Monday morning, March 5, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna May in October of 2011. He is survived by his children, Tom and Ann May, Ken and Sue May, Don May, Julie May, Connie May; his six grandchildren, Jennifer (fiancé Wade Lindberg), Stephen, Timothy, Veronica, Brian and Doug; his brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Joan May; his sister-in-law, Nancy DeBoer; many nieces, nephews and friends. Elmer worked as a farmer all his life. He honorably served his country in the US Navy during World War II and was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church – Alpine Twp, where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 11:00 AM. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery – Wright. Relatives and friends may meet his family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM with the Rosary prayed at 7:00 PM. There will also be a period of visitation at the church one hour prior to Mass. Contributions in his memory may be made to West Michigan Heart. To read more about Elmer’s life, to sign his guest book and to leave your own memory of him, visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com