Elmer M. "Andy" Anderson, age 80, of Marion, died late Monday evening, November 22, 2010, at the Marion General Hospital following a brief ten day illness.
On April 30, 1930, Andy was born in Kenton, Ohio, the son of the late Ray and Lavon (Bailey) Anderson, where he also was raised and attended school.
Shortly following high school, Andy enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, and was stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada, during peace time.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Andy returned to Kenton to work with his father in their business, Anderson Blacktopping.
In the early 1960’s, Andy moved to Marion, where he was introduced to Kathleen Frey Ferriman by mutual friends. They were married soon thereafter on June 29, 1963. They shared over forty seven wonderful years together.
During his time in Marion, Andy had worked for B.F. Goodrich and the Marion Power Shovel.
Nearly every morning was exciting for Andy, because he truly “loved going to breakfast.” It would be an understatement to say he was well known by all of the servers at Bob Evans. In the same fashion as he started his day was how he finished his day, enjoying a huge bowl of chocolate and vanilla swirl ice cream covered in chocolate syrup and peanuts (until the nuts began hurting his teeth). His favorite ice cream came from the Jer-Zee, and they would start getting his two quarts ready as soon as they saw him.
A proud grandfather, Andy loved spending time with his grandchildren spoiling them in any way he could think of. Much to no surprise, he also loved when they would join him for breakfast! He even enjoyed throwing the softball with his grand-dog, Coal.
With a love for golf in his youth, Andy found a unique way to continuing playing the sport he loved by playing one very specific golf game on the Nintendo 64. He could enjoy playing it for hours at a time.
For many years, Andy frequented all the local watering holes, the American Legion, V.F.W., Eagles, Moose, etc. until twelve years ago when he found the strength to overcome being an alcoholic to be completely sober. Recently he was asked, what his proudest achievement was, and for him he “was most proud of quitting drinking.”
Having a heart of gold, you couldn’t always tell how Andy felt about something. But those who knew him, knew he was “always smiling on the inside.”
Andy will be dearly missed by his wife, Kathy Anderson, of Marion; a daughter: Kim (Richard) Dixon of Marion, and their children: Brian, Alan and Kristen Dixon, and Lauren (Dustin) Lieb; a son, Gary (Mary Ann) Ferriman of Marion, and their children: Sheri (Ryan) Miracle, Keith Ferriman, Jason (Tara) Mills, and Jeremy (Loretta) Mills; two additional grandchildren: James Buffalo and Victor Hamilton; and a sister, Ruth Nicely.
Including his parents, Andy was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Malasky; two grandchildren and a sister, Virginia Long.
His family will greet friends from 1 – 2 p.m. on Friday, November 26, 2010, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services in his honor will follow immediately at 2:00 p.m., with Pastor Rob Howard officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion County Humane Society, 2264 Richland Road, Marion, Ohio 43302.
For those wishing to express their condolences to Andy’s family, you may do so online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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