PALMYRA: VerPlank, Elmer J., 84, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2016 at his home due to complications with Alzheimers. Family and friends are invited to call from 5-8pm on Wednesday, November 16 at the Robert L. Yost Funeral Home, Inc., 123 West Main Street, Palmyra where a funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, November 17. Burial will be in East Palmyra Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123 or to the Alzheimers Association, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester NY 14620.

      Elmer is predeceased by his parents William and Edith (DeCracker) VerPlank; sisters and brothers-in-law Eleanor (Bud) Nevil, Doris (Bernie) DeWeaver and Shirley Spangenberg and brother Arthur VerPlank. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia; daughters Lea Ann (Guy Turner) Sawyer, Heidi (Ken) Tameling, and Lou (Barry) Dingman; son Paul (Jennie) VerPlank; step-daughters Susan Curran, Sandra Hendrick and Shirley Goodfriend; step-son David VanderMolen and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

     Elmer was born on October 21, 1932 in Marion, NY. He was a graduate of Marion High School and Rochester Business Institute. Elmer was a member of the James R. Hickey American Legion Post 120 and a member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6778.  The funeral home proudly flies the United States Army flag in honor of Elmer’s service to our country during the Korean War. Elmer was employed as the manager at Santelli Lumber in Palmyra and Sodus. Upon retiring he worked part time at Breen’s Supermarket in Palmyra. He was a longtime member of the Palmyra-Macedon Rotary Club.