- Date Of Birth: February 27, 1922
- Date Of Death: April 3, 2010
- State: Indiana
Dr. Elmer R. Billings, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Saturday morning, April 3, 2010, at Hubbard Hill Estates. Dr. Billings practiced Internal medicine at the Elkhart Clinic from 1954 until his retirement in 1991. He graduated in 1944 from Indiana University School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree and then served his internship at Indianapolis City Hospital (now Wishard Memorial Hospital).
He was born in Washington, Ind., on Feb. 27, 1922, to Walter and Edna Elizabeth (Faris) Billings. On Jan. 19, 1945, he married the former Mary Helen Whitaker in Indianapolis. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. Surviving are his wife, Mary H. Billings of Elkhart; son, Brad A. Billings and his wife, Sally, of Elkhart; three daughters, Beverly A. Slayter and her husband, John, of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Barbara A. Russo and her husband, Steven, of Zionsville, and Beryl A. Billings and her fiancé, Randy Stone, of Elkhart.
Also surviving are his grandchildren, Ben Slayter and his wife, Erin, of Williamston, Mich., Megan Slayter-Jubenville and husband, Jeremy, of Kalamazoo, Mich., Margaret Russo of Cincinnati, Ohio, Eric Freedline and his wife, Cortney, of Elkhart, Nic Freedline and his companion, Ed Elliott, of Palm Springs, Calif., and Drew and Evan Billings of Elkhart, and Elmer’s twin great grandsons, Cameron and Ethan Freedline, at home. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Rosie Billings of Washington. Dr. Billings was preceded in death by his son, Barry Ray, and his brother, Hugh F. Billings.
Elmer, or “Doc” to his family and friends, proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a medical officer in the Philippines and had as his assignment pronouncing the death of high ranking Japanese war criminals. Dr. Billings was the former chief of the medical staff and board member of Elkhart General Hospital, past president of the Elkhart County Medical Society and the 13th District of the State Medical Association. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Noon Kiwanis Club, Elkhart County Heart Association and the Junto Club. He was also a charter member of the Elcona Country Club, where he was active in and enjoyed curling for many years. He also played in the Indiana University Marching 100 Band while in college.
Doc was an avid reader, had a great sense of humor and liked to tell stories and was quite the trivia buff. He made latchhook rugs, fed the birds and squirrels and most days could be found working in his yard or garden. Elmer loved music, especially the Big Band era and Jazz and hadn’t missed the Elkhart Jazz Festival since it started. He was an avid Cubs fan, watching them on TV while listening to the play-by-play on his radio.
