Elmer Greening

Elmer Greening, 82, of St. Joseph passed away at West Woods of Bridgman on Oct. 11, 2014. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel of St. Joseph. Elmer was born March 8, 1932 in Royalton Township, (Buckhorn) Mich., to Elmer Herman and Elsie Alice (Bomke) Greening. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1950 and from Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in 1954. He proudly served in the United States Army as a pharmacist at Fort Carson, Colo. He married the love of his life, Carolyn DeRidder on Nov. 20, 1970. They owned Uptown Drug, Midway Pharmacy, Expressions Unlimited, and the Schnapps House. Elmer and Carol enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and family. They traveled many times throughout the United States and Europe. Elmer worked for many years as a pharmacist at Lakeland Hospital. He enjoyed the camaraderie and the many wonderful relationships he developed with the staff. After he retired he worked part time at Gillespie’s Pharmacy of St. Joseph. Elmer also served as a past President for the St. Joseph Senior Center. Elmer was an avid sports enthusiast and a devoted fan. He loved the Chicago Cubs, the Michigan Wolverines and the St. Joseph Bears. He particularly enjoyed going to all the local games with his friends. Elmer is survived by his sister, Marilyn Elaine (John) Robbins of Benton Harbor; brother, DeWayne Norman Greening of St. Joseph; seven nieces and nephews; two stepchildren: Doug DeRidder (Cathy) of St. Joseph and Deborah DeRidder of Las Vegas; stepdaughter-in-law, Bonnie DeRidder of Marshall, Mich.; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Elmer enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Elmer will be deeply missed by all. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Greening; his parents, Elmer Herman and Elsie Greening; two sisters: Shirley Mae Lunde and Virginia Mae Greening; brother, Norman John Greening and a step-son, Daniel DeRidder. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, with Pastor Michael J. Roth officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends and family are invited for lunch following the burial at the Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Senior Center or the Trinity Lutheran Church. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks.menchinger.com.