Wilfred Howard Elchert, Jr. , age 91, AKA- Junie, Wil, Wolf, Dad, Pops, Daddio, Papa Junie- passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Friday evening, March 15, 2013, at St. Anne's Hospital in Toledo Ohio.

Wilfred was born on September 27, 1921, in Point Place, Ohio, to Wilfred Anthony Elchert, Sr. and Thekla Steinhauser Elchert. He moved to Old Orchard neighborhood in Toledo as a young boy. He graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1940 , where he was an all-around athlete; competing in Football, Boxing, Track and Field, Basketball and Wrestling.

He enlisted shortly after graduation, into the Naval Air Corps. In 1942, He joined the Army Air Corps. and was with the 490th Bombardment Squadron. The Squadron's B-25 aircraft, bombed bridges, locomotives, railroad yards and other targets to delay the movement of Japanese troops fighting in northern Burma. This hop bombing technique is how the 490th earned the nickname, the "Burma Bridge Busters." Wil carried out 76 Flight missions as a Sergeant Gunner . He was wounded during these missions and awarded the Purple Heart. He also was awarded the "Distinguished Flying Cross". This medal was awarded to him as an enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished himself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight." During its three years of activities, the 490th destroyed 191 major bridges in Burma, Thailand and southwest China.

At the end of WWII, Wil went to the University of Toledo on the GI Bill. He was a Sigma Phi Epsilon brother, and won a Golden Glove in Boxing, and graduated with a degree in Accounting Management in 1950.

In December of 1948, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Shirley Nichols. They were married for 52 years before her passing in July of 2001. They had two daughters together, Denese Dawn Elchert Merritt (Larry) and Michelle Renee Elchert Battin (Greg) He taught his daughters to swim and dive at Lincolnshire pool in the summers, took them bowling every Sunday after church, and always made a stop at Susie -Q Donuts. He was President of the PTA while the girls were at Lincolnshire Elementary.

He worked as the Secretary/Treasurer of The Ohio and Michigan Paper Company until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Toledo Exchange Club for many years and after retirement he was a member of the "Nooners" at the Toledo Club. He loved a good golf game on a hot summer day.

He was a music lover and played the piano by ear and wrote music. He always loved the Big Band /Swing era music. Wil and his neighbor, Denny McBroom, would go to Trotters and enjoy the band music: tip a few brews and enjoy the Big Band every Tuesday night and have a smoke on the patio with friends during their break. These times were the Highlight of his weeks for the past 12 + years.

Wil is survived by his sister, Lois Elchert Verlin (Grand Rapids, MI area) and her 6 children, Linda, Terry, Danny, Karen, David, and Cherie and their families, and another nephew, Stephen Audritsh, currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Wil is survived by his daughters, and his grandchildren, Jourdan (Karen) Merritt, Ashlie Elizabeth-Ann Merritt, and Tyler Gregory Battin.

A blessing was said at St. Anne's Hospital but, it was his wish to have no service. Donations may be made to Planned Pethood, INC. P.O.Box 350908 Toledo, Ohio 43615. (419) 826 FIXX Because he was an animal lover, or to the American Heart Association, in his Honor. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home.


Published in Toledo Blade on April 14, 2013