Elmer A. Nettleton

Racine- Elmer A. Nettleton, 76, passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 in Milwaukee at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. Elmer was born in Hayward, WI on May 26, 1930 to the late Lyman and Grace (nee: James) Nettleton. He lived most of his life in Racine. Elmer faithfully served our Country with the United States Army 13th Infantry-3rd Platoon during the Korean War from September 22, 1947 until September 2, 1951. He was decorated with several service awards including The Purple Heart, which was earned from the severe injuries sustained when shot in Korea on December 1, 1950. On February 14, 1952 in Kenosha, Elmer was united in marriage with Betty Jane Olson, who preceded him in death on March 17, 1999. Among several places of employment during his career, he retired from Nielsen Ironworks. Elmer was a devoted 36-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Active with the Alano Club, he was a longtime volunteer counselor of The Twelve Step Program at the Racine County Jail. Among his other interests, Elmer enjoyed fishing and visiting family in Hayward; playing cribbage; and trying his luck on the slot machines at Potawatomi. Above all, his most cherished memories were those when surrounded by his entire family. Surviving are his children, Grace Lahti, Constance Falbo, Kenneth Nettleton and Patricia Nettleton, all of Racine; grandchildren, Justin and Joseph Gramza; Aaron and Michelle Jenkins; Michael Falbo; Daniel and Stacy Nettleton; Tanya Nettleton; and Christopher Webster; great-grandchildren, Willow, Alyssa, Devin, Destiny, Gage, Brandon, Joseph, Austin, Jacob, Darius, Christopher, Kishari and Tommy; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Elmer was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Susan Nettleton; sisters, Ione Vortanz, Edna Grandis, Ruth Burns, Edith Wilcox, Inez Bartelt and May Weingarden; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Frances, Raymond and Robert Olson. Funeral services will be celebrated on Monday, August 14, 2006 in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Rd., at 11:00 am. Interment, with military honors, will follow at the S. WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery. A reception, in honor of Elmer, will be held after the cemetery services. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 9-11 am. Memorials to the Wisconsin Veterans Home-Union Grove has been suggested. A heartfelt note of thanks to the wonderful staff at the Wisconsin Veterans Home-Union Grove and to Zablocki VA Medical Center- Palliative Care Unit for the compassionate care and constant attention that was so warmly given to our Dad. God bless all of you!