Elmer Joseph Poss

HOMER, LA: Elmer J. Poss was born January 12, 1921 to John and Anna Poss in Greeley, Kansas. He passed away in Homer, Louisiana on Sunday, February 14, 2016. Visitation was at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Homer, Louisiana from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. Memorial services were held at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Homer, Louisiana at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Elmer was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl of Garnett, Kansas and Mark of Leawood, Kansas and by two sisters, Margaret Ohmes of Garnett, Kansas and Gertrude Halloran of Kansas City, Missouri and by a son-in-law, H. L. McLaughlin of West Monroe, Louisiana and a grandson, David Pipes of Calhoun, Louisiana. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Ursuline Cosgrove Poss, two sons, and a daughter-in-law, Robert John of Calhoun, Louisiana and Mark and his wife Carmen of El Dorado, Arkansas, two daughters, Rita Massey and husband Larry of Calhoun, Louisiana and Mary Louise Eaves and husband John of West Monroe, Louisiana, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Elmer served in the U. S. Coast Guard from May 1942 until April 1946 in the American and Asiatic theaters. He resigned from the Rural Electrification Administration as a field auditor in 1949 to accept employment with Claiborne Electric Co-op in July 1949 and held the positions of Accountant/Office Manager, Assistant Manager and served as CEO from 1973 until he retired in August 1988. He served as secretary/treasurer, vice president and president of the Louisiana Association of Electric Cooperatives, Louisiana Electric Cooperatives Managers Association, Louisiana Electric Cooperatives Accountants and Office Managers Association. Elmer served as a director representing the State of Louisiana on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board from January 1984 to February 1988. Elmer was active in civic and community affairs having served as president or chairman of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, Homer Lions Club, Homer Country Club, Claiborne Community Services Advisory Board and Town of Homer's Financial Advisory Committee, as well as director on the Homer Memorial Hospital Board. He was also active in his church having served as a trustee and chairman of the Finance Committee of St. Margaret Catholic Church and on the Community of the Holy Spirit Finance Council. He kept the financial records for St. Margaret Catholic Church for several years. Elmer received the Diocesan Medal of Honor from Bishop William Friend. Pallbearers were Joseph Poss, Jason Poss, Terry Martin, J. O. Haywood, Billy Hays and Doodle Johnston. In lieu of flowers honoring Elmer Poss, his family suggests memorials be to St. Margaret Catholic Church in Homer or St Jude Children's Hospital.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110 www.rose-neath.com