Michael J. Elmlinger

Michael J. Elmlinger, age 75, resident of Willard, passed peacefully on September 6th, 2026. Mike, the first of six children, was born on October 9th, 1950, to the late Martin and Patricia (Bettac) Elmlinger.

Mike grew up in Havana, where they rode bikes from sun-up to sun-down, only stopping to have a meal or shoot BB guns. Mike graduated from Willard High School in 1968 while working at the Willard Dairy, where he made around 350 gallons of ice cream a night. He then attended disc jockey school in Columbus and became a DJ for a brief period. Mike began working at RR Donnelley in 1968, where he worked for the next 55 years in several departments until 2023, most recently as a supervisor in the Bindery Department. A man who seldom rested, Mike also enjoyed his time serving in local government as a City Councilman from 1998 through 2025, and was elected as Council President on multiple occasions. He was always proud of the positive impact that he was able to have on the city of Willard.

Mike enjoyed many hobbies over the years including playing accordion, skiing, fishing, tennis, and golfing as a charter member in the "Sellers Professional Golf Association," with his good friends James Funk, Olen Dials, and "The Commissioner", the late James Sellers. He also enjoyed amateur radio, bragging that he had contacted stations in another 2 or 3 countries nearly every week upon earning his General Class License. After his retirement from Donnelley, he enjoyed sharing breakfast and coffee with the Huron County Amateur Radio Club on Thursday mornings.

Above all else, Mike loved spending time with his loving family. Mike married his wife Kim in 1988 after being completely awestruck by her "walking across a cloud" the first time he saw her. Mike and Kim were blessed by two sons and two grandchildren who love their Opa dearly. As a father, he took on the role of head coach for many soccer and little league baseball teams and also instilled his work ethic into his boys by helping them both manage newspaper routes for several years. Despite their busy lives and a career of shift work, Mike and Kim always made time for a yearly family vacation to Myrtle Beach, where many fond memories were made, including countless rounds of putt-putt, throwing a frisbee on the beach with Jamie and Alex, and enjoying several episodes of the "Windowside Puppetshow." Mike was as tough as they came and hardly complained; even when faced with insurmountable odds, he smiled saying "What a life...what a great life."

Mike is survived by Kimberly, his wife of 38 years; their two sons, Jamie (Rebecca) Elmlinger and Alexander (Lauren) Elmlinger; two beloved grandchildren, his brothers Jerry, Tom and Dan; and sisters Marye and Vicki. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. Dad will be sorely missed by those he leaves behind.

Visitation will be at Secor Funeral Home in Willard, Ohio on Saturday, September 12th at 11 AM with service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Huron County Humane Society or your charity of choice. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the wonderful professionals who cared for Mike during his treatment, particularly to Chris (W8CBG), the nurses on Floor 19 at the James, the staff in Ohio's Hospice at the OSU Medical Center and Dr. Michael Krouse. Their kindness and compassion were unmatched during his journey.

K8ALX /SK - 73