Elmer Walker Bollinger
Elmer Walker Bollinger passed away peacefully on Aug. 26, 2025, in Middlefield, at the age of 97.
He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. Bollinger (nee Pettice) for 64 years; loving father of John W. (Christie) Bollinger, Sandra Bollinger Schroeder and Larry R. (Bonnie) Bollinger; devoted grandfather of Jamie (nee Bollinger) McDaniel, Jessica (nee Bollinger) Wade, Dustin Bollinger, Arthur Bollinger and Haley (nee Bollinger) Weaver; great-grandfather of seven; uncle of several nieces and nephews; and loving brother of Jack C. (Evelyn), Clarence M. (Betty), James P., and Robert E. (Betty).
Born May 6, 1928, in Flint, Mich., to parents John R. Bollinger and Marguerite Bollinger (nee Bowman), Elmer graduated from Burton High School in 1946. He lettered in basketball and baseball all four years winning the All County First Team in basketball during two of those years.
Elmer attended Fenn College, completed banking courses at Ohio University, University of Virginia, Northwestern University and several courses with American Banking. He also completed a real estate appraisal course at Cleveland Trust and a Commercial Lending and credit analysis courses at National City Bank.
Elmer worked 42 years as a banker. Thirty-two years at The First National Bank of Burton and 10 years at Huntington Bank. He retired in 1990.
A Navy pilot veteran, Elmer owned his own plane and flew for many years. He was also a NASCAR driver in the 1950s and enjoyed boating, golfing, woodworking, restoring Mustang convertibles and fishing in Lake Erie and Canada.
Elmer was involved in many organizations and civic activities. These included Burton/Berkshire Board of Education, Burton Chamber of Commerce, Burton Fire Department, Burton Food Cupboard and Kent State Geauga Advisory Board. He was also a member of Burton Lodge #274, F. & A. M., American Legion Post 459 and Honor Guard, University Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council, UH Campaign for Cancer Cabinet, UH Geauga Leadership Council and over 70 years of Burton Congregational Church.
In the last several years, Elmer visited and entertained veterans in rest homes, reading to them and telling them jokes.
After his retirement in 1990, Elmer and his wife, Pat, spent winters in their home in Florida and traveled extensively until her passing in 2014. They toured all 49 intercontinental states with their motorhome (occasionally with family) and took trips abroad to Ireland, England, New Zealand and Australia. They also enjoyed a European Riverboat Tour and traveled to Hawaii, Canada and the Caribbean.
Elmer Bollinger enjoyed life. He always said his best years were the ones in which their three children were home and they enjoyed school activities, vacations and time together. He never met a stranger; his friends were countless, expanded to counties and states and included those decades ahead and behind him in age.
His lifetime home, Burton, has always been his sanctuary and where he and his wife of 64 years lived and loved.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and sister-in-law, Betty Bollinger, of Port Washington, Wisc.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and four brothers.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., at Burton Congregational Church, 14558 West Park St., Burton. A celebration of life will follow from 1-5 p.m. at Schoolyard Studio (formerly Berkshire High School), 14510 N. Cheshire St., Burton, with a masonic service taking place there at 3 p.m.
The graveside service will be private.
Elmer requested that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to any of the following: Burton Congregational Church; Burton Public Library; Geauga Children’s Services; Hospice of Geauga; Seidman Cancer Center – UH Geauga; or WomenSafe House.
Arrangements are entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.burrservice.com.
