Elmer L. Giltner

Elmer L. Giltner passed away peacefully Friday, May 19th at his home in La Junta after a short illness. Born to Hugh and Margaret Giltner in Tagewell, Illinois, May 11, 1926, he had just turned 91. Elmer took an early graduation to join the Navy in 1943, completing a two year tour of duty mostly in the South Pacific. Upon discharge he returned home to Trinidad, Colorado where he eventually bought the Fuller Reed trucking company. In 1956 he joined his dad in Pueblo first working at Sporleader's Supply; it was there he began his lifelong work in the sheet metal trade; a trade he continued until the time of his death. After years working in the sheet metal business with others, he opened Elmer’s Sheet Metal in Pueblo in the mid-sixties and sold it in the late 70’s to Frank Girodo. After spending a few years away from the sheet metal business traveling and working at other things, he and Mary Lou settled in La Junta, Colorado where they opened Armor Sheet Metal in 1987 which remains open today under the care and ownership of his son Vern.
Elmer was an avid collector of antique cars, timepieces and coins. He was a founder and an officer of the Pikes Peak Chapter of the VMCCA for over 50 years; and Charter Member of the Cadillac La Salle Car Club in both Australia and New Zealand. He and Mary Lou loved to travel the world but found their favorite places to visit were Australia and New Zealand where they returned many times. Elmer and his daughter Margie made his last trip to New Zealand exactly one year ago.
Elmer is survived by three siblings, Delores, Blase (Betty)and John Giltner (Eileen); children from his first marriage to Anna Furzi,-Verner,Margie Kirk and Elanna Harger; four step-children from his 40 year marriage to Mary Lou - Bonnie Walters, Roberta (Bill) and Robin Jones and Rebecca Graham (Michael); nine grandchildren, Jacque Spires (Mark), Duane (Tiffany), Danelle Hague (Jeremy), Candice Collins, Whitney Henry (Roy) Shawna Kirk (Nik) Staci Kirk, Michelle and Susy Sargent, Jason and Misty Doty, Shawn (Kathy) and Robert Jones, and Rue and Chase Graham;26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He is also survived my many nieces and nephews and friends both locally and from around the world including Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Lou, his son Louis, brothers Norbert and Elverne, step-daughters Linda Doty and Mary Anne Vaughn and granddaughter Amanda Vaughn.
A military burial will be held Friday morning, May 26th, 10:00 am at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, Colorado; his memorial service will be Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm at the United Methodist Church of La Junta with Reverend DeEtta Goettel officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Arkansas Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.