Obituary of Merle D. Elkin

A celebration of Life for Merle D. Elkin who died March 2, 2019, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday May 11, 2019, in Lakewood United Methodist Church, where friends will be received for one hour prior to the service. He was born Aug. 26, 1934, in Smicksburg, Pa., to David and A. Florence Justice Elkin. He went to be with his Lord on March 2, 2019, in The Villages, Fla. He was a graduate of Dayton Joint High School, Dayton, Pa., in 1952. Following graduation, he worked at the Ravenna Arsenal in Ravenna, Ohio. He served in the U.S/ Air Force from 1954-58, based in Stuttgart, Germany with the U.S. Army Seventh Corp. He met the love of his life, Bernice Marshall Elkin in 1958, and they were married on Aug. 12, 1960. They remained happily married for 59 years. After being honorably discharged, he attended both The Pennsylvania State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania earning his bachelor's degree in education. He later attended Saint Bonaventure University receiving a master's degree in school counseling and administration. He began his education career at Panama Central School in 1962, teaching chemistry, physics and earth science. He later became the school guidance counselor and served in that role for 26 years. He ended his career at Panama in 1994 after serving as the high school principal for three years. He was elected as a town councilman for the Town of Busti and served for four years and was later elected Busti Town Justice and served in that role until his retirement in 2010. He was very active in the Lakewood Jaycees and helped produce the first Lakewood Area Jr, Miss Pageant. He served as the pageants treasurer for 25 years. He was a member of the Lakewood Kiwanis, Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, American Legion Post 1286, New York State Magistrate Association, Mt Maria Masonic Lodge and Sykesville Hunt Club. He was also a member of the Lakewood United Methodist Church, serving as its chairman of trustees for many years and was co-chairman of the building project for the Church's new parsonage. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was very involved in their lives. Recently, he was able to attend his eldest granddaughter's wedding, bless the marriage and spend one last Christmas at home with his entire family. He traveled extensively with his wife and family including trips to Europe, Russia, Australia, South America, China and throughout the United States. He spent summers playing golf at the Chautauqua Golf Club and enjoyed hunting in the fall. He was a member of the original committee of the Senior Men's Golf Tour. He is survived by his wife and two children: Kristy (Steve) Crandall and David (Sherri) Elkin. He was grandfather to four grandchildren: Allison (Crandall) Karandikar, Adam Crandall, Kasey Elkin and Logan Elkin. Memorials can be made to Lakewood United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 164 Shadyside Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.