Elmer Neff

Elmer Roy Neff, age 89, of Comins, passed away Friday, January 8, 2010, at his daughterâ??s home in Vanderbilt. Visitation Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 3-9 PM at Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI with a Vigil Prayer Service offered by St. Maryâ??s Parish at 7 PM; and again from 10 AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Monday, January 11, 2010 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Raymond Cotter officiating. Interment at Fairview Cemetery. Elmer was born on February 5, 1920 in Comins to Henry and Rosa (Zook) Neff. He was raised in Comins, and lived there all of his life. He was owner and operator of ""Elmer Neff Turkeys"" on M-33 in Comins. He always said that he was the ""Soul Survivor of the Seventh Day Opportunist Church"". Elmer lived life to the fullest with integrity and love for animals and a hatred for starlings -a passion that he shared with his children and grandchildren. Elmer is survived by his wife Cecilia; his children: Melinda F. Neff of Vanderbilt, MI; Christopher B. (Cynthia) Neff of Comins, MI; Mary R. (Henry) Mason III of Gaylord, MI; and Rebecca A. (Richard) Cope of Gaylord, MI; his sister Mae Marie Belinsky of Greensboro, NC; his grandchildren: Vanessa R. ""Neff"" (Jeremy) Cavanaugh of Fort Riley, KS; Jessyca J. Neff of Chicago, IL; Katrina A. ""Mason"" (Howard) Wright of Waterford, MI; Henry M. Mason IV of Gaylord, MI; William F. Mason of Boyne Falls, MI; Eric C. Mason of Gaylord, MI; Andrea R. Mason of Gaylord, MI; Cassandra L. Cope of Los Angeles, CA; Sheila S. ""Cope"" (Jacob) Barden of Chicago, IL; Nicholas A. Cope of Gaylord, MI; and Andrew R. Cope of Gaylord, MI. He is also survived by 2 great-grandchildren: Alexander J. Wright and Jessica M. Wright, both of Waterford, MI, and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry & Rosa (Zook) Neff; his son William H. Neff; his sister Clara Martin; and his brothers: Carl, John, Raleigh, Robert, and Curtis Neff. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Michigan, 1723 W. M-32 Suite B, Gaylord, MI 49735. These arrangements handled by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio.