Bert M. Elder

Bert M. Elder, 80, passed away Monday, September 7, 2009 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 at Heaton Bowman Smith Chapel in St. Joseph, MO with Military Graveside Services at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in St. Joseph, MO.
Bert was born in Clarksdale, MO to Glenn and Mildred Elder. He was a 1947 graduate of Central High School in St. Joseph, MO. Bert was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. His service career started in 1948 with the Army Air Corps. He then entered the United States Air Force where he served as an Intelligence Specialist under the European Command, the 329th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Alaskan Air Command, Taiwan Defense Command and Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE. Medals and Commendations included; Air Force Intelligence Support with four Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal and the Good conduct Medal. Bert retired from the United States Air Force in 1970 after serving over 22 years. Following his military retirement, Bert entered the health care field and served as nursing home administrator for various nursing care facilities throughout Iowa and Missouri.
Bert enjoyed music, movies and his Air Force Times newspaper. He was a member of the Iowa and Missouri Health Care Association, Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Past President of the Northwest Health Facilities Association in Iowa and NCO Advisory Council.
Bert will be missed by his wife, Ruby; daughters, Barbara Moriarty of Omaha, NE and Teresa (Edward) Simms of Des Moines, IA; sons, Michael (Joy) of Greeley, CO, Jerry (Nanci) of DeSoto, IA and Glenn of Omaha, NE; step-children, Teena O’ Connor, Mark Zahn and Mike Zahn; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gertrude B. Wiezorek-Elder; his parents; a sister, May B. Carson; and his step-father, Carl B. Shane.

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