Elmer H. Culver

Age 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep June 27, 2020 with Berdetta by his side surrounded by love. He was preceded in death by his mother and father Erwin and Winnifred (Wolcott) Culver; Children, Pamela and Barbara; Sister, Marie Ehnis, Brothers, Lyle and Wesley Culver, and many cats including Buckwheat and Smokey. He is survived by his wife of 72 years Berdetta (Hardy) Culver, who he met on a blind date. Sister, Louise Zantop; Daughter, Cindy (Joe) Pawlak; Grandchildren Timothy Meyer-Jackman (Janet), Adam, Jenny and Brian Smith. He loved his family above all else including his great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and his cat Horton. He loved being called Gramps.

He was born March 21, 1928 in a home birth in Moscow, MI. He attended Hanover High School and graduated from Jackson High. He served the nation in the US Coast Guard-Merchants Marine Corp., during World War II in the Atlantic War Zone on the ship S.S. Mary Pickersgill. He was a member of the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the American Merchant Marine as well as the American Legion. Elmer retired from Rampy Chevrolet in Ann Arbor in 1994 after 42 years as a Master Transmission Mechanic. They moved to Bradenton, Florida soon after. He and Berdetta loved to travel, visiting 48 of the 50 states in their various trailers and motor homes. Their license plate read "GIDDYUP GO". He served as President for the Travel Trailer Club of the Midwest and both were Golden Agers (25 year members). He often shared with his family that he wished he could have travelled to Scotland. As well as travelling Elmer enjoyed talking on the Citizen Band (CB) Radio where he was known as Monkey Wrench. He and Berdetta are lifelong members of Brookside United First Methodist Church. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. Whether it was their home in Florida or in Vandercook, he was always tinkering on something. He would generously offer help to his family and friends. He took much joy in making a difference in someone’s life. To Elmer everyone meant something, even those he didn't know to whom he donating blood to the Ameican Red Cross to as often as he could. To Berdetta he was the best husband in the world. To his family he was their True North. Always finding a slice of humor in a day you could always count on a good chuckle, hug and an I love you too. He had a generous, compassionate, understanding and caring spirit that offered comfort and guidance to those who knew him. He loved Berdetta more than any words can convey. Theirs was a real love story.

Visitation will be held at Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home (406 1st Street) Jackson, Thursday, July 2 from 3-7pm. Covid-19 safety practice will be honored. Cremation to follow. Celebration of Elmer’s life will be held at a future date. The family wishes to give a special thanks to the staff at Countryside Rehabilitation Center and Southern Hospice Care for taking great care of their beloved, Elmer. And to Bonnie, Adam and Paul for being there. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to either The Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program at U of M C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Michigan Medicine Office of Development, Attn: Mott Giving Team, 1000 Oakbrook Dr., Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 or Southern Care Hospice Services,1965 Boardman Rd. Ste B, Jackson, MI 49202.