Elmer Fike
Tue, 01/28/2025 - 4:41pm
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Elmer Fike of Mountain View, Missouri, was born October 2, 1930, to Alva Fike and Edna Dunning Fike. He left this earth on January 20, 2025.
He enjoyed a long life, surviving a string of illnesses, mishaps, and heartbreaks. He filled his 94 years with adventure and time spent with people he loved.
Elmer was born in Chicago, Illinois, but moved with his family, as a boy, to Peace Valley, Missouri. He met Ina Ditmars while they were in college at McPherson College in Kansas, and they married in 1954. They were married through thick and thin for 68 years.
As a young man, he was blessed with a career working with Native Americans of the American Four-Corners region. He made lasting friendships and had a deep respect for Native American art, history, and welfare.
Elmer returned to the Missouri Ozarks in 1999. He had a long list of loves, including vintage John Deere tractors, exploring back roads, word puzzles, and farm life. He loved Ina and became increasingly devoted to her as the years passed. He loved his children, Rita and Gary, and his daughter-in-law, Jill, and adored his grandkids, Ezra and Linnea.
He loved many people and was beloved by many in return. He was known for his enormous heart, gentle ways, and playful sense of humor. He was the dispenser of wise advice and heartfelt sympathy. He was never too busy to listen or to help and freely gave his time and attention to anyone who needed it.
In death, he joins his parents, Alva and Edna Fike; step-mother, Thelma (Fauschnaught) Fike; brothers, Harold and Donald Fike; his son, Gary Fike; and wife, Ina Fike.
He is deeply missed by family and friends and mourned by his immediate family: daughter, Rita (Fike Gysin) Cullison; son-in-law, Brad Cullison of Mountain View, MO; daughter-in-law, Jill Olson Fike of Willow Springs, MO; brother and sister-in-law, James and Joyce Fike of Doylestown, OH; sister, Juanita Fike of Flagstaff, AZ; grandson, Ezra Fike of Urbana, IL; and granddaughter, Linnea Fike of Carbondale, IL.
No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.