Elmer K. Custer Jr.

Elmer K. Custer Jr., 84, husband of Ruth "Daisy" (Spieth) Custer, formerly of Oaks, passed away after a lengthy illness and six year stay at Parkhouse Providence Pointe. Born in Kenhorst, he was the son of Elmer K. Custer, Sr. and Edith (Bortman) Custer. He graduated from Phoenixville High School in 1944 where he played basketball and baseball. In December of 1944, he left for the Army and served in the Philippines and Yokohama, Japan until September of 1946. Elmer and his brothers, Russell and Irvin owned and operated Custer's Garage in Oaks. They also owned Custer's Garage School Buses and drove for Spring-Ford School District for twenty seven years. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Phoenixville. He served as a firefighter and has a life membership at Oaks Fire Company; donated 11 gallons of blood to the Red Cross, and was one of the men who started the Oaks-Audubon Little League. He was also active in playing basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball for many Phoenixville teams. He enjoyed the Phillies, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and working in the yard at the home he and Ruth built. In addition to his wife of 61 years, he is survived by three daughters, Carol, wife of Charles Cully, of Phoenixville;Cindy, wife of Paul Gadzicki, of North Coventry, and Bonnie, wife of Brian Henderson, of Greensboro, NC. He has six grandchildren, Christopher Cully, Amanda (Cully) Greninger, Rachel, Paul, and Madison Gadzicki, and Carlee Henderson. He also has two great-grandchildren, Charlie and Lucy Cully. He is also survived by two brothers, Russell and Irvin, and predeceased by two sisters, Mildred McArthur and Nedah Weigner. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at the St. John's Lutheran Church, 355 St. John's Circle, Phoenixville, on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Krommes. Burial will be held in the St. Paul's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Oaks. Friends will be received at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, on Thursday, March 3, 2011 from 7-8:30 p.m., or at the church on Friday, March 4, 2011 from 9:15-10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Memorial Wreath Fund of St. John's Lutheran Church at the above address. Condolences may be offered online by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.