SYRACUSE – Eldred Eugene Ehmen, 71, rural Syracuse, passed away at 6 a.m. April 23, 2016, at his home. He was born June 4, 1944, in Urbana, Ill., to Henry John and Harmine “Minnie” Ackerman Ehmen. On Sept. 12, 1981, he married Barbara Bowers, who survives in Syracuse. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1962, earned a BSME at General Motors Institute (Kettering University) in 1967, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Illinois in 1969. He has worked as a mechanical engineer for General Motors in Michigan and Illinois and Dalton Foundry, Warsaw. He was self-employed at Ehmen Contracting and Engineering and as a farmer. He held an Indiana professional engineer license and a plumber contractor license. He belonged to The Ohio Gun Collectors Association, the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and the Single Shot Rifle Association. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Syracuse. He enjoyed bluegrass music, camping, gun shows and long discussions with friends on conservative politics. Surviving are two children, Brett, North Webster and Anna (and spouse Matt) Lewis, Aiken, S.C.; two sisters, Eunice Ehmen and Karen (and spouse Allen) Brucker; two nephews, Steve (and spouse Mary) Duitsman and Greg (and spouse Joy) Duitsman; three nieces: Colleen (and spouse Jesse) Cantu, Melanie (and spouse Leon) Sieberns and Amy (and spouse Eric) Hommema; five great-nieces; eight great-nephews; one great-great-niece and two great-great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church, Syracuse, with Pastor Wendy Piano officiating. Burial will follow after the service at Cable Cemetery. Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Eastlund Funeral Home in Syracuse. ***** Memorials to Grace Lutheran Church, Cancer Services of North East Indiana or Goshen Cancer Care Center.
