Elmer Clarence Wankum, 82, Taos, passed away Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Dec. 8, 1937, to the late George and Louise (Porting) Wankum in Meta.
He was united in marriage to Catherine Marie Kerperin, June 15, 1963, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos.
Elmer attended St. Cecelia Elementary School in Meta, was a 1955 graduate of Fatima High School in Westphalia and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Lincoln University. He served his country in the U.S. Army from Oct. 29, 1958 through Oct. 28, 1960. He then served in the Reserves until Oct. 28, 1964. He trained at Ft. Leonard Wood and was stationed at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia.
Elmer was employed with the Missouri Department of Corrections at the Missouri State Penitentiary from Oct. 29, 1962 until his retirement April 30, 2002, in the position of Functional Unit Manager. Prior to his employment with MSP, he worked in the Osage County Clerk’s office as a deputy clerk, served as a Battalion Clerk in the U.S. Army, worked for Scruggs Guhleman Knollmeyer in Meta and worked on his father’s farm.
Elmer was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos where he served as a communion minister and was an active member of the parish and community. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6430 in Taos.
Elmer was an easy-going, kind, hard-working person. He enjoyed the outdoors working and recreating. He liked to fish, hunt, do garden work, and keep his lawn and surroundings neatly groomed. He enjoyed going to his son’s farm and helping out wherever he could. Elmer was always there to help others when the opportunity arose. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and loved attending his grandchildren’s school functions and sporting events. Elmer loved spending quality time with each of them. He was their hero.
Elmer was preceded in death by parents, George and Louise;infant daughter, Carla; sisters, Mildred Wankum, Bernadine Rehagen and husband Tony, Helen Jaegers and husband Leonard; brother, Art Wankum; and in-laws, Clarence Baumhoer and Roselyn Wankum.
He is survived by wife, Catherine of Taos; children, Wayne Wankum and wife Donna of Wardsville; Shirley Woehr and husband Dennis and Christy Schaefer and husband Ronald, all of Taos; grandchildren, Megan Kinkade and husband Casey, Brandon, Jordan, Caitlin and Jaelynn Schaefer, Tyler Wankum and wife Kallie, Noah Wankum and Treaver Woehr; great-grandchildren, Lillie and Hayden Wankum and Coralee Kinkade; siblings, Ronald Wankum and wife Helen and Alice Baumhoer, all of Jefferson City; Wilbert Wankum of Holts Summit and Roman Wankum and wife LaVon of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Mary Wankum of Jefferson City.
Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m., Friday, Oct.16, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, all at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos with the Rev. I.C. Medina officiating. The service will be live streamed for those who wish to watch from home. The link can be found on Elmer’s obituary page under Tribute Wall at www.dulletrimble.com.
The general public is welcome to attend the services while following social distancing guidelines. Facial coverings are encouraged while in attendance.
Interment with military honors will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Taos.
Memorial contributions suggested to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery Maintenance Fund.
Arrangements entrusted to Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Jefferson City.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
