Obituary of Elmer R. Refine

Elmer Refine, 93, passed away December 12, 2020. The son of Harry Refine and Josephine Zanders Refine, he was born November 7, 1927 in Springfield, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harry, Clyde and James Refine, sisters Gertrude Hinsey and Margaret Sturm, and son- in-law Donald Zureich. A kind and gentle soul, those mourning his loss include his wife of 42 years, June Refine; step-daughters Laura Zureich of Marysville, OH, and Nancy Baxter of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; granddaughter Sylvia Zureich of Florida, sister-in-law Kathryn Refine, as well as many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. A graduate of Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL, Elmer's career with B.F. Goodrich Tire Company began in 1952 as a retail salesman and culminated with him retiring as Manager of Product Service and Customer Relations in 1989. He served in the U.S. Army in 1946 and 1947 with deployment in Hawaii in an anti-aircraft battalion. Elmer's retirement years were spent traveling extensively with his wife June, volunteering for the Red Cross Transportation Department and serving those in need through the Society of St. Vincent De Paul. He also enjoyed reading (especially history), hiking, playing bridge, golfing, watching Cleveland baseball, and being a master at both Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Stow, OH. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no services at this time. The family wishes to thank the staff at Maplewood Assisted Living & Memory Care and Serenity Hospice for the compassionate care given to Elmer. Memorial donations, if so desired, may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson 44236, or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Family Parish, 3179 Kent Road, Stow 44224.