Elmer Milton Oberg, 89, Wenatchee WWII Veteran, took his final flight on September 24, 2010, after a long and courageous struggle with prostate and bone cancer. Elmer was born to E. William and Minerva (Stever) Oberg on January 12, 1921, in Coeur d’Alene, ID and was raised on the Oberg homestead near Havillah, WA. He attended Bonaparte Grammar School through the eighth grade and graduated from Tonasket High School in 1938, attending one more year in the college prep program. Elmer was a member of the second class to graduate from Wenatchee Junior College, in June 1942, and received his pilot’s license while attending the C.P.T. class at Fancher Field. In the fall of 1942, Elmer was accepted into the Aviation Cadet training program of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was called to active duty on February 26, 1943, and went through basic training in Lincoln, NE. His next duty station was in the newly instituted College Training Detachment program at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. His barracks was in the Love Library and he was always proud to have briefly been a “Cornhusker.” In September, he began pre-flight training at Santa Ana, CA. Along with many other cadets, he contracted pneumonia and was in the hospital for a month and in rehab at Palm Springs for another month. After completing training at Santa Ana, he then finished primary flying school at Santa Maria and was in basic flying at Merced, when the Army decided they had too many pilots and “washed out” many cadets. Elmer came home on leave and married Patricia English at Wenatchee First Presbyterian Church on April 16, 1944. Elmer and Pat honeymooned in Denver, CO, where he began training to be an armorer-gunner and they were there on D-Day, June 6, 1944. From there, they moved to Harlingen, TX for more training. After a furlough, Elmer was stationed in Pueblo, CO, where he was assigned to a B-24 bomber crew as the Sperry ball turret gunner. Pat returned home to Wenatchee in late February, 1945, when Elmer and his crew flew to Spinazzola, Italy as part of the 460th Black Panther Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force. They had flown several missions over Germany, before the war in Europe ended in April. The crew flew home to the States to begin training for the war in the Pacific, then was disbanded and assigned to different bases and Elmer was sent to Laredo, TX to train as a gunnery instructor. After the Japanese surrendered, he was honorably discharged and he and Pat returned home to Wenatchee. Elmer worked for Sears for 17 years, and after a brief employment at Zittings’, he began working for the Wenatchee School District, first delivering lunches and then as Custodian at Sunnyslope Elementary School. He retired in 1986, as Custodial Foreman for the District. A lifelong hunter, Elmer was a 1949 Charter Member of the North Central Washington Rifle and Pistol Club and put in many hours and days helping to build the range, club house and working at turkey shoots and shooting matches. Elk hunting trips were special times with son, David, and dear friends, Quentin Murren and Larry Holland. He was a member of Trout Unlimited, Upper Columbia Chapter, serving as Treasurer until the club disbanded a couple of years ago. He enjoyed helping with the salmon spawning for many summers at the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery with his friends, Red Pittack, Larry Holland and Dave Watson. When their four children were small, Elmer and Pat were very active in Lewis and Clark PTA, holding many offices. They served as Co-Presidents and both were awarded the State PTA Golden Acorn Award in 1963. Elmer had been a member of Wenatchee First Presbyterian Church since 1949, and served as Deacon and Elder. He helped out in Sunday School when their children were young, and later helped with the mailing of the church newsletter. He and John Simmons did an awesome job of dishwashing for many Presbyterian Women activities. Family was always first with Elmer. He was always there whenever anyone needed him and he loved them unconditionally. He grew up with a strong work ethic and passed those values on to his children. During his retirement, he enjoyed having a garden, raising awesome tomatoes and making his own version of V-8 juice. He liked grocery shopping, cooking and eating, and the family always wanted more of Papa’s fried chicken or beef/vegetable soup. His attitude in fighting cancer with dignity and his sweet smile have been an inspiration to all.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Wm. Wever and Marvin Oberg; and brother-in-law, Wm. A. Smith. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia; and their beloved children, David A. Oberg of Mountlake Terrace, Ann and Bob Torkelson of The Dalles, OR, Margaret and Syd France of Kirkland and Nancy and Sherman Knight of Kirkland. His precious grandchildren are Thomas France, D.J. and Ashley France, all of Kirkland, Kevin Elmer Torkelson of The Dalles, Alexandra Knight of Edmonds, Danielle Knight of Seattle and Michael Knight of Kirkland. Elmer is also survived by his brother, Norman (Joyce) Oberg of Tonasket; sister-in-law, Mariann Oberg of Tonasket; sister-in-law, Jean Wever of Peoria, AZ; and sisters, Verna (Earl) Horngren of Kirkland and Marvel Smith of Ione, WA. Several special nieces and nephews also survive.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the care and support of their church family, Home Health and Hospice care, especially Mindy Brady, Debbie Kramer and Lyn Head. Special thanks to Dr. Sareena Malhi and her nurse, Jan Crollard, Dr. Catherine Jarecki and to Connie, Sandra, Allison, Amy, Jacquie, Joyce, Linda, Rebecca and all the people in Oncology at Wenatchee Valley Medical Center who gave us so much TLC. And thanks to Rick and Vicky for the wheelchair help. You are all in our prayers.

A Celebration of his Life will be held in late October, 2010, at the Wenatchee First Presbyterian Church, followed by Private Inurnment. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wenatchee First Presbyterian Church Deacons’ Fund or the charity of your choice. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.

“Now when I remember spring, All the joy that love can bring,

I will be remembering The Shadow of Your Smile.”