Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Obituary -- Elbert Risser 1943-2017

Elbert Otto Risser, 74, passed from his earthly body on October 15, 2017. Elbert was the only child of Lowell and Myrtle (Goff) Risser. He was born in Sheridan, MO on May 1, 1943. Elbert spent most of his life in the Sheridan area. On July 30, 2004 he remarried his first wife, Doris.

Elbert loved all things mechanical. In his free time, he spent many years restoring John Deere tractors. In his later years, he shelved the green paint for International Harvester red. Elbert spent twenty-eight years working for the Missouri Department of Transportation as a highway maintenance worker. He retired from there in May 2005.

Elbert was a tinkerer and talker. If you were lucky, you’d catch him in his shop working on something – either wood or metal – and he’d entertain you for hours talking about his traveling adventures. Before retirement, he’d sneak away to Colorado or Texas to visit his kids. After retirement, he spread his traveling wings even further. Some of his favorite trips were to Indiana to visit Doris’s sister, South Dakota to visit his kids, and to Wyoming to visit family friends.

Elbert was preceded in death by his parents, a wife Patty, and a son Kerry. He leaves behind his wife, Doris, of the home as well as six children; Chris (Michelle) Risser, Bedford, IA, Gayland (Debbie) Risser, Hermosa, SD, Mike (Teresa) Risser, Bedford, IA, Malinda Nelson, Sheridan, MO, Bill (Amy) Straight, Grant City, Mo and Tish (Duane) Warner, Grant City, MO. Elbert also had the privilege of raising Eric (Cindi) Zimmerman, Maryville, MO and Mark Zimmerman, Maryville, MO. In all, twenty-one children had the opportunity to call him Grandpa. He also had five great-grandchildren to love with four more on the way.

A visitation was held Monday, October 16th from 6-8 pm at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City.

The funeral was Tuesday, October 17th at 2 pm at the funeral home with interment to follow at the VanSkyock Addition to the Sheridan Cemetery, Sheridan, MO. Jeff Blaine officiated. Memorials may go to St. Francis Hospice or the Sheridan Community Building in care of the funeral home.

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