Joseph E. Elkins

Joseph E. Elkins, Sr., 92, of Wapakoneta, died 10:55 a.m., Wed. Oct. 30, 2013, at Auglaize Acres. He was born Feb. 19, 1921, in Bourbon, IN, the son of Charles Edward & Mary (Corl) Elkins, who preceded him in death. On May 17, 1947, he married Phyllis C. Keyser, and she survives. Other survivors include, 5 children, Joseph E. (Debbie) Elkins, Jr., Bluffton, IN, William (Janice) Elkins, Wapakoneta, Jayne (Doug) Place, Wapakoneta, Dr. Frederick (Cheryl) Elkins, Bellefontaine, OH, Beverly (Jeff) Ray, Columbus, OH, 10 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, & 22 great grandchildren, a sister, Jayne Pesch, Plymouth, IN, a sister-in-law, Edna Wagoner, Plymouth, IN, a brother-in-law, Robert D. Smith, Mishawaka, IN. He was preceded in death by 4 siblings, Lois Stewart, Max Elkins, Betty Redman, & Donald Elkins, sisters-in-law Margie Smith and Mary Jo Clouse, and a brother-in-law Gene Pesch. Joe was a 1940 graduate of Plymouth High School, and was a U. S. Army veteran of W.W. II. He worked at McCord Corp., Plymouth, for 21 years and in the 1950’s owned and operated A & W Root Beer Stands, in Bremen & Nappanee, IN. In 1967, he opened the B �" K Root Beer Stand in Wapakoneta, which operated with his wife Phyllis until 1983. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and the D.A.V., Auglaize Co. Chapter #73, both of Wapakoneta. His other memberships included the American Legion, Post # 173, Bellefontaine, OH, the Loyal Order of the Moose, Indian Lake Ch. #1533, the former BPOE #1170, and the Phi Delta Kappa, Plymouth. He enjoyed carpentry, painting, boating, fishing, and gardening. He took pride in the fact he built 10 homes. While in Plymouth, he played in the Drum & Bugle Corps and served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Mon. Nov. 4, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church, Wapakoneta, Pastor Kimberly Pope-Seiberling officiating. Burial will be 3:00 p.m., Mon. at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth, where military rites will be conducted. The family will receive friends 2-6 p.m., Sun. Nov. 3, at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta, and 1 hr. prior to the service, Mon. at the church. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Wapakoneta.

Joseph E. Elkins

February 19, 1921 - October 30, 2013