----Source: Wednesday February 18, 2004, Clark County Press

Elmer A. Georgas

Elmer Georgas, age 91, of Neillsville, died Tuesday, February 10, at the Memorial Nursing Home in Neillsville.

Elmer Arthur Georgas was born on March 16, 1912 in Dorchester, the son of Arthur and Mateldia (Sedlack) Georgas. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1931 and then attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science. After completing college he was employed at the Plummer Funeral Home in Sparta, and the Rosenow Funeral Home in Stevens Point. He moved to Neillsville on March 1, 1937 and worked for Mrs. William Schiller at the Schiller Funeral Home. On July 28, 1940 he was united in marriage to Edna Bruss at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stevens Point. On October 27, 1945 he entered the United States Navy at Great Lakes, Ill., served in the Navy at Norfolk Naval Air Station at Portsmouth, Virginia and for nine months, and served aboard the U.S.S. Miquoka in the Pacific area. On January 1, 1946 Edna and Elmer purchased the Jaster Funeral Home in Neillsville. In August, 1963 they purchased the Bergeman Funeral Home on 4th Street and did extensive remodeling. In 1974 they sold their Funeral Home on 5th Street to attorney Donald Johnson. They retired on Jan. 1, 1975 and sold the Funeral Home to Lowell Gesche, who had worked for the Georgas for 11 years. They built their home on Ayers Street in 1975 and in 1982 they sold their home and moved to Mesa, Ariz. They returned to Neillsville in 1999. Edna died in 2000.

Elmer is survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna; his parents; and two sisters, Isabelle Wachholz and Dorothy Sersch.

Funeral services for Elmer were held Feb. 14, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert officiated. Interment was in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers for Elmer were Walter Beyer, Dennis Evanson, Clarence Schlinkert, Edgar Tews, Robert Wachholz, Vince Weber, and Bill Welch. Honorary bearers were Orville Evanson, Wilmer Kroll, and Joe Urban.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Elmer's family with arrangements.