Elmer Burton Poertner

TRAVERSE CITY - Elmer Burton Poertner, 86, of Traverse City, passed away on March 27, 2016 at Munson Medical Center. Elmer was born on March 16, 1931 in Lake Leelanau, to the late Walter and Bertha (Brow) Poertner.

He was raised on a farm and as a young man enlisted and honorably serviced his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps.

Elmer married the love of his life, Rosabelle May Popa on February 11, 1956 and raised their 5 children together. He was employed as a service manager for Montgomery Wards and as a mechanic for Ken's Pickup Service. Elmer enjoyed word searches, listening to Polka and country music and going to the casino, playing on his tablet and playing card games with his granddaughter Sofie. Elmer was a member of the Eagles FOE 383 and American Military League.

He is survived by his wife, Rosie and their 5 children, E. Suzann Coombe, Cheryl (Robert Redli) Traylor, Timothy (Susan) Poertner, Michelle (Joe Bauer) Poertner, Karrilyn "Karry" (Dale) Bigelow; son in-law, Douglas Coombe. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Tara (Daniel Thomas) Traylor, Jason Coombe, Shaun (Samantha Glazier) Traylor, Corey Coombe , Kathleen (James) Poertner-Geraghty, Ryan (Ami) Coombe, Keith Poertner, Ashley Poertner, Justin Gore, Anna Poertner, Hannah Bigelow, Wyatt Bigelow, and Sofie Bigelow and 9 Great Grandchildren; Alexis Golder-Traylor, Kieran Geraghty, Holden Coombe, Jaxsyn Thomas, Trenton Traylor, Griffin Coombe, Rhett Dowling, Camron Traylor and soon to arrive Raelynn Traylor. Also surviving are his half-brother, Walter (Patricia) Poertner and 2 step sisters: Evelyn and Rosemary Sheets; sister in-law, Gudrun Poertner and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and sister in-laws; Willard (Kay) Poertner, Earl (Alice George) Poertner, and 2 sisters and a brother in-law; Marilda Sheffer and Helen (Steve) Stachnik and one half brother, Gary Poertner and great grandson, Baby Austin Ryan Coombe.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a visitation held one hour prior. Services will be officiated by Fr. Kenneth Stachnik and military honors will be performed under the auspices of the Cherryland VFW Post #2780 and the American Legion Post #35.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) www.jdrf.org/donate/ or Father Fred Foundation 826 Hastings St. Traverse City, MI. 49686.
Share your thoughts and memories with Elmer's family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.