Elmer R. Kaphengst, 76, of Silver Lake, Wis., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 21, 1933, in Salem, Wis., the son of Elmer O. And Emma (Roth) Kaphengst and has been a life long resident of Kenosha County. He graduated from Wilmot High School and had attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Schultz-Hahn American Legion Post #293 of Silver Lake.

Elmer was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Paddock Lake, Wis. He loved wood working and gardening and was considered a hard worker in all that he did. He was a former owner of the Silver Minnow Bait Shop in Silver Lake and the County Electric of Salem, Wis. For several years he also worked at Charmglow and as the director of engineering for Beatrice Manufacturing of Bristol, Wis.

On June 23, 1962, he married Patricia Dallman in Racine, Wis.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years Patricia; his children, Karl (Anne Danko) Kaphengst of Burlington, Wis., Julie (Jason Milewski) Peterson of Silver Lake, Wis., Michael (Kimberly) Kaphengst of Twin Lakes, Wis., and Dale (Laura Fitch) Kaphengst of Woodstock, Ill.; his mother Emma Kaphengst of Silver Lake; his sister, Marlene Curtiss of Kenosha, Wis.; a sister-in-law, LaVerne Kratochvil of Racine, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Ashlee and Tyler Peterson, Noah and Lucas Kaphengst, Cody, Sara, Brian, Emily and Helena Kaphengst and his great granddaughter, Leonna Peterson. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer O. Kaphengst.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday Nov. 9, 2009, at the Strang Funeral Home of Antioch, 1055 Main St. (Rte 83) Antioch, IL with Pastor Eric Silberschmidt officiating. Interment will be in Salem Mound Cemetery, Hwy 50 and B, Salem, WI. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday Nov. 8, 2009, with American Legion services at 3 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions, in his memory, to Christ Lutheran Church or the Silver Lake Rescue Squad. Info 800-262-4441. Please sign our guest book for Elmer at www.strangfh.com.

Strang Funeral Home

1055 Main Street

Antioch, IL 60002

847-395-4016