ELMER CASADY obituary

Elmer J. Casady, otherwise know as the “Sheik,” 84, of Havre died Thursday, April 13, 2006, at Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes.

Viewing will be held at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home from 1 to 4 p.m. beginning today. His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Fifth Avenue Christian Church with Pastor Rowlie Hutton officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Elmer was born June 10, 1921, in Winlock, Wash., to Cedric and Charlotte (Burns) Casady. He came to the Havre area at the age of 7. He was raised north of Chinook in Casady. His grandfather homesteaded there. When Elmer was of school age, he had to come into Havre to attend schools. He graduated from Havre High School.

Elmer started working for the Great Northern Railway in 1941. He then enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1941, serving during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He returned to Havre and the Great Northern Railway. He retired from the railroad in 1981 after 40 years of service.

Elmer married Erma Mae Yates on April 18, 1942, in Havre at Sixth Avenue Christian Church. The couple made their home in Havre and raised their four children. Elmer and Erma joined the Fraternal Order of the Eagles No. 166 in January of 1959. Elmer was a member for 28 years, during which he served all local and state offices including state president from 1987-88. While Elmer was president, he named the first Aerie Mother, Mary Bickford. Elmer cooked many dinners at the Eagles and was a great cook. He was also a very good handyman and could fix anything. Elmer and Erma were very instrumental in raising money to establish the Eagles Park. The couple were nominated and won the Montana Eagles Of The Year in 1967-68.

Elmer enjoyed fishing and hunting. He taught all of his children to hunt. Elmer was a reliable person who would always lend a helping hand to those who needed it. Whether it was fixing their car or something in the home, Elmer could always be counted on. He enjoyed time with his family picnicking in the Bears Paw Mountains and their family vacations to California and Kalispell. Elmer and Erma enjoyed traveling and meeting people. Their association with the Eagles Organization allowed them to travel all over the world.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Erma in 1999; sisters, Ruby Casady and Ann Dafler; and brother, Cedric Casady.

Survivors include his children, Deanna (Dick) Lervold of Las Vegas, Carol (Bob) Kitt of Burley, Idaho, Joe (Karla) Casady of Great Falls and Tammy Casady of Havre; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorials in Elmer's honor may be made to the American Cancer Society, 550 N. 31st St., Suite 103, Billings, MT 59101.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.