Earl H. Elling, 82, of Napoleon, Ohio died Tuesday February 16, 2010, at the Lutheran Home of Napoleon, Ohio. He was born January 2, 1928, in Defiance County to the late Fred H. and Henriette (Plassman) Elling. On November 24, 1949, he married Melba Gerken at St. John Lutheran Church-Freedom Twp. Earl was the owner of Earl H. Elling Plumbing and Heating, Est. in 1963, in Napoleon. He faithfully served his area communities until several years ago, when his sons took over the business. Earl was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church of Freedom Twp, serving in many capacities, as chairman of the congregation, building committee, church and finance deacon, stewardship board, delegate to synod, and many other church related activities. He was a member of the Low German Club, and enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, Steven Goodell, Lisa (Fran) de la Mota, Nathan (Rebecca) Goodell, Rachel (Saif) Rahman, Lindsey (Matthew) Thompson, Lt. Kyle Elling, Ashley (Aaron) Crall, Joshua and Kara Elling, as well as great grandchildren, Virginia and Daniel de la Moto, Ryan Goodell and Liesl Thompson. He is survived by his wife, Melba (Gerken) Elling of Napoleon, daughter, Barbara (Jay) Goodell of Mantua, Ohio, sons, Michael Elling of Toledo, Ohio, Richard (Bev) Elling and Mark (Brenda) Elling of Napoleon, Ohio; brother, William (Lorna) Elling, and sisters, Margeruite Meyer of Napoleon, and Carolyn (Roger) Bunke of Holland, Pa.. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. on Friday at Rodenberger Funeral Home in Napoleon and Saturday 1 hr prior to funeral services at the church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, at St. John Lutheran Church-Freedom Twp. in Napoleon with Pastor Stephen Niermann officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. John Endowment Fund, Worship for Shut-ins TV Broadcast or the Napoleon Lutheran Home.


Father of Barbara, Richard, Michael, Mark