Our dearest uncle, Elmer H. Hanft, passed from his earthly home on Saturday, March 2, 2019. This kind and gentle man was beloved by family and friends for all his 95 years and will be deeply missed. Elmer was the youngest and last surviving member of his family of seven siblings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Alexander and Marie Matilda (Georg) Hanft, his brothers Earl and Walter, and his sisters Virginia, Savilla, Alfreda, and Ann. He was preceded by three nieces and nephews and is survived by thirteen nieces and nephews with whom he had very special relationships. Elmer was lovingly cared for by his niece, Juanita Higson, with whom he resided for the last twenty years of his life.
Elmer was truly an outdoorsman who deeply loved being with nature, enjoying the beauty and splendor of God’s earth and its beings. He worked as a timberman and was a skilled artist with wood for all purposes. In his later years, Elmer focused on select gathering of forest products which were turned into beautiful arrangements and works of art that graced many fortunate homes.
Throughout his long life, Elmer was a dedicated farmer who devotedly worked the land and cared for his livestock. Elmer was an excellent student who was educated in a one-room schoolhouse in the Cove of Accident, Maryland. He was an avid reader and was an informed patriot, having been born on Flag Day.
He enjoyed being with his family and especially cherished reunions where he was honored as the family patriarch. The family would like to thank Dr. Wonsock Shin and his staff for their excellent care for many years, and the Western Maryland Health System Hospice for their care and assistance during Elmer’s final days. We are deeply grateful to Rev.
James Oester for his spiritual support visits and his kind attention to Elmer. The family requests that contributions honoring Elmer’s memory be donated to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, LCMS, located at 1065 Cove Road, Accident, MD 21520. Family and friends will be received at the Newman Funeral Homes, P.A., 179 Miller St., Grantsville, MD, on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, from 2-7 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church MS on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev.
James Oester officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will be held in the church cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www. newmanfuneralhomes.com. Donations may be made to: St. John’s Lutheran Church, LCMS 1065 Cove Rd.
, Accident MD 21520 Web: sites.
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