Elmer L. Rubsam
February 19, 1934 — January 10, 2017
Elmer Loraine Rubsam – 1934 – 2017
Elmer was born, February 19, 1934, to John and Rosa Rubsam in Newton, IL and passed away on January 10, 2017. He will be remembered for his work ethic, faith in God, passion for gardening, and love of family. Forever a kind and generous man, he was a volunteer for many organizations such as Day Break Shelter. He was on his feet at every party and event making sure that everyone else was taken care of, his way of showing family and friends how much he loved them. He served in the United States Army (Korea). Once he returned, he moved to Joliet to find work. He worked at Caterpillar for 27 years. On Thanksgiving Day in 1960, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Ochs and spent every day doing anything he could to make her happy, even when he did not quite understand her fancy. This included square dancing, line dancing, planting flowers, biking and traveling.
Left to celebrate his life and memories are his wife, Marilyn, children Nancy (Dave) Timm, Joliet, IL; Janice Mallaney, Joliet, IL; Judy Rubsam, Joliet, IL; Michael (Barbara Vari), Marietta, GA; Carol (Don) Confiliano, Montgomery, IL; Mark (Michelle Oerkfitz), Crystal Lake, IL. He was an amazing grandfather to beautiful grandchildren: Stacy, Rachel (Fiancé Alfred Postell), Rita & Joseph Timm, Tonya Quick, Samantha Mallaney, Melissa (David) Dudley, Madeline & Noah Confiliano, Nathan & Abbygail Rubsam, and three great-grandchildren: Camryn, Allison & Bryson Postell.
Elmer joins in Heaven his parents, John and Rosa Rubsam; parents-in-love, Boniface and Bernice Ochs; brothers, Oscar (Dorothy); Walter (Doris Jean); Robert (Marilyn Stewart); sisters, Bernadette (Bill) Watkins; Rosemary (Ron, surviving) Schopp; and in-laws, Marcella (Dewey) Poland; and godchild, Phyllis Jean Dietrich.
Surviving siblings, Victor; Gertrude Ann (Ron) Russo; Donald (Carolyn); Charlene (John, deceased) Westendorf; Carolyn (Damon, deceased) Walters, his in-laws, Antoinette (Larry) Dietrich; Cletus Ochs; Thelma (Jim) Muhs; Linda (Dale) Collins; Ben (Nancy) Ochs; Jane (David) Grubb, Ed (Peggy) Ochs, David Ochs; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will be missed by his four-legged friends, Hazel, Bandit, Beau, Jeff, Piglet, Roo, Macie, Dillon & Spider.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Elmer’s name to Joliet Area Community Hospice, Will County 4-H Foundation, or Day Break Shelter would be appreciated.
A Celebration of Elmer’s life will begin on Monday, January 16, 2017, with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:10 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Dennis Catholic Church in Lockport for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.