Verland “Elmer” Rorick, age 86, of Marion, passed away Thursday morning, February 18, 2016, at the Presidential Center of Marion.
On August 11, 1929, Elmer was born in Martel, OH, the son of the late Carl W. and Ellen (Stauffer) Rorick. He graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1947.
Starting in high school, Elmer was employed by Marion Power Shovel. He retired after 42 years working as a machinist and foreman. He also served in the Ohio National Guard for 16 years.
Being set up on a blind date, Elmer met the love of his life, Phyllis Joan Mathias. They were married November 12, 1949 and have shared the last 66 wonderful years together.
For most of his life, Elmer has been a member of First United Church of Christ in Marion. He taught Sunday school in his younger years and also served on consistory. He also belonged to Marion Masonic Lodge #70 where he was a 32nd Degree Mason and also volunteered as a driver for Love Inc.
Elmer loved woodworking, creating many things for around the house and painting. He also enjoyed model trains, hunting and fishing. He loved to travel with his family, and took many vacations to historical locations, his favorite place being Ft. Mackinac in Michigan. Locally he liked going to Malabar Farm and Mohican State Park, each of these trips including a picnic lunch.
Elmer was a man who always stayed busy and taught his family and friends many good life lessons.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Phyllis, of Marion; three daughters: Mary Jo (Bob) Putman of Marion, Cathy (Jerry) Kightlinger of Wapakoneta, OH, Cheryl (Richard) Schorr of Leesburg, VA; five grandchildren: Mike (Char) Putman, Aaron Kightlinger, Michelle (Jason) Jacobson, Abigail (Sean) Perry, Amanda Kightlinger; 4 great grandchildren: Karli Srisongkham, Bryer Kightlinger, Braylon Wentworth, Evan Jacobson; and a brother, Myron (Meg) Rorick of Circleville, OH.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gene Rorick, and two sisters, Wanda Downs and Barbara Rorick.
Elmer’s family will greet friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22, 2016 at the First United Church of Christ, 326 S. Prospect St., Marion. Services to honor and celebrate his life will be held there at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Gale Green officiating. Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery.
Rather than flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Church of Christ, 326 S. Prospect St., Marion, OH 43302 or to Heartland Hospice, 685 Delaware Ave., Marion, OH 43302.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Elmer’s family, and your condolences and special memories may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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