Elmer Henry Grever

Elmer Henry Grever, 93, died at rest in his home on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, due to complications following a brief illness. He was born Nov. 18, 1918 on a family dairy farm to George Grever and Martha Hapke-Grever in Lake Zurich, Ill. He graduated Ela Township High School in 1936, where he starred as a guard on the basketball team. He attended the University of Illinois in 1937, joined the Army Air Corps in 1941, where he served as a flight instructor at Mather Field in Sacramento, Calif. He was married to Margaret Jean McWilliams-Grever from 1942 to 2008. In marriage, she accompanied him to many Army Air Corps bases. He served as a pilot from 1946 to 1952, and was stationed in the Philippines, Oklahoma, Orlando, and Rantoul, Ill. He attended meteorological training in 1950 and served as meteorologist at McCoy AFB in Orlando from 1952 through 1959. They had three children, Suellen (Mike), Julie Ann (deceased), and Karl Henry (Mary). He provided care for Margaret's sister, Martha Ellen and mother, Laura, who lived with the family for many years. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1964, he moved to Little Rock, where he owned a Zenith Hearing Aid franchise within the Gus Blass and Dillard's Department Stores (Park Plaza), and the Doctor's Building through 1989, where he provided rehabilitative care for the hearing-impaired. Through his adult life, he was an avid golfer, bowler and gardener. He and Margaret enjoyed traveling, playing bridge at AARP, visiting family and faithfully attending Grace Lutheran Church, where he served in many capacities. In retirement, he and Margaret wintered in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and enjoyed visiting with life-long friends. He is survived by Karl and Suellen, his two children, seven grandchildren, Lisa (Carlos), Kristy (Ron), Angela (Shannon), Erik, Kurt (Sarah), and Karl (Angela), and four great-grandchildren, Luke, Loren, Lance, and Avery. He was the fifth child of 15 and is survived by Fred, George, Esther, Orville, Kenneth, Robert, Joan and Donna. Preceding him in death are Ella, Laura, Harry, Marion, Earl and Annette. He will be greatly missed by his family, church, AARP and other friends. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church Fund, P.O. Box 250769, Little Rock, Ark. 72225. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Grace Lutheran Church, 5124 Hillcrest, Little Rock, Ark., with Pastor James Walter officiating. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Jan. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock, Ark. 501-661-9111. You may send the family messages at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.