John J. Elpers Sr.

John J. Elpers, Sr., age 81, of Wadesville, passed away February 6, 2014 at the Deaconess Hospice Care Center. John was born April 25, 1932 in Evansville to the late Carl and Gertrude (Titzer) Elpers. Mr. Elpers was the founder of John J. Elpers & Sons Construction (now Elpers Brothers Construction) and had owned and operated the Silver Bell Restaurant from 1979 to 1990. John was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1952-1962 and a member of VFW Post #1114, American Legion Eugene Pate Post #265 and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of St. Wendel Catholic Church and the Knights of St. John at St. Wendel. Surviving John are his wife of 57 years, Antoinette “Tuddy” (Maurer) Elpers; three daughters, Karen (Rick) Bitter of St. Wendel, Pauline (Steve) Hughart of Marion, IL and JoAnn (Darren) Engelhardt of Elberfeld; five sons, John J. (Annette) Elpers, Jr. of Evansville, Paul (Tami) Elpers, Kenneth (Barbara) Elpers, Carl (Kendra) Elpers and Gerald (Kathy) Elpers, all of St. Wendel; twenty four grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two sisters, Marian Adler and Rita Schmitt and four brothers, Charles Elpers, Marvin Elpers, Joseph Elpers and William Elpers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, February 10, 2014 at St. Wendel Catholic Church, Rev. Ed Schnur officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Wendel Church Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Sunday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 9:00 A.M. until service time on Monday at St. Wendel church. The family would like to thank Dr. William Hardesty, Riverwalk Communities, Deaconess Hospital and Deaconess Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Wendel Catholic Church, 10542 W. Boonville New Harmony Road, Evansville IN 47720 or to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

John J. Elpers Sr.

April 25, 1932 - February 6, 2014