VINTON: Elmo Baxter, age 92, died Friday morning, April 7, 2006 at Sunnycrest Nursing Center in Dysart following an extended illness.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM. , Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton with Rev. Rose Blank officiating. Private Committal Services will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home, 212 E. 6 th Street in Vinton from 5 to 7 PM on Monday. A Memorial Fund has been established for Wesley United Methodist Church and the Izaak Walton League of America.

Elmo was born February 1, 1914 at Coon Rapids to William E. and Lydia (Mendenhall) Baxter. He graduated from high school in Stuart , Iowa and was awarded his under-graduate degree from the University Of Iowa . While attending college he met Mary Zada Strong and they were united in marriage on June 3, 1941 at Clarinda. During World War II he served his nation as a member of the US Coast Guard. Elmo later earned his Masters Degree. He and his wife lived in Vinton most of their married life where they both served on the teaching staff in the Vinton School System. Elmo retired in 1976. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Zada on November 21, 2005 .

Elmo was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton where the congregation and the community admired his beautiful tenor voice. He was also a member of the US Coast Guard Association, U of I Alumni Association, the Izaak Walton League of America, and Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton. Elmo was the recipient of numerous education awards.

He is survived by his children, Pat Beatty and husband, Garth of Vinton, Dennis Baxter of Tucson , AZ , Brian Baxter and wife, Amy of Lincoln, NE, and Gordon Baxter and wife, Jennifer of Hopkins, MN; twelve grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death in addition to his wife and parents, were his infant twin children, David and Diane; three brothers; and five sisters.