Elmer G Toth

Elmer George Toth of West Salem, Ohio lost his battle with cancer Christmas
Eve, December 24th, 2013 at the age of 80.  He was surrounded by his wife of
60 years, Eloise (Ramsier) Toth, and immediate family at the time of his
passing at the Hospice of North Central Ohio, Inc. in Ashland.

Born on September 1st, 1933 to Edward & Lucille (Herbert) Toth in Bedford,
Ohio, Elmer was very proud of his Hungarian heritage.  In addition to his
parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edward.  Surviving family
members include wife, Eloise, daughter Kathleen Lantz (Hance/ "Mike") of
Lakeland, Florida, and daughter Kristine Fourman (Kevin) of Bucyrus, Ohio,
sisters Eleanor Gnandt (George) of Wellington, Ohio and Esther Schaefer
(Jerry) of Loudonville, Ohio.  In addition to his numerous nieces, nephews,
great-nieces and great-nephews, Elmer has four grandchildren, Joshua Lantz &
Amie Gunter (Lakeland, FL) and Kaitlyn & Korey Fourman (Bucyrus, OH) and
great-grandchildren Dayna Lantz, Madison & Logan Gunter, all of Lakeland,
FL.

Elmer was a veteran of the United States Army, and served in Germany from
1954-56 during the Korean War, just months after his marriage to Eloise on
September 6, 1953. After returning from the service, Elmer held several
jobs, including being a car mechanic, body worker, and owner of the West
Salem Body Shop, an insurance adjustor with the Dunn Company, and working
security at Premium Building Products.  It was, perhaps, his work as an EMT
and firefighter that started his long career in public service--the career
that he loved--as he could serve others.

Beginning in the early 1960's, Mr. Toth worked as a special deputy,
firefighter, and police officer.  This was followed as Chief of Police in
the Village of West Salem, Congress, and Burbank, as well as working as an
officer in Creston.  He preferred working in the smaller communities where
he thought he could make more of a difference.  In total, Mr. Toth was a
commissioned officer of the police force for 31 years.  Mr. Toth then served
4 terms, from 1992-2007, as Mayor of the Village of West Salem, during which
time he was awarded over $1.5 Million of grant money for projects, repairs,
and renovations to benefit the village in which he resided.  After 2007, he
served as an assistant to the mayor, project coordinator, and was then
appointed as a village council member in 2009 to present.

As a part of his Democratic political life, Mr. Toth was the 2005 recipient
of the Old Hickory Award, presented to him by Ted Strickland who, later,
became Governor of Ohio.  He was a member of the Democratic Party of Wayne
County, Congress Township 1 Central Committee member on the local election
board, President of the bipartisan Wayne County Mayor's Association for 14
years, and was always considered a political problem solver and mediator
when situations became difficult.

Mr. Toth was also instrumental in establishing the public library in the
former West Salem Elementary School building.  His public influence and
dedicated work allowed the village to host a branch of the Wayne County
Public Library in his home community.  Mr. Toth's work also helped in
securing the property, tenants, and establishing funding so that the School
House Community Campus (SHCC) project would eventually be self sufficient.

Elmer was a member of the West Salem Historical Society, West Salem Friends
of the Library Member, trustee at the West Salem United Methodist Church,
and belonged to both the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, (Lodi Lodge #
845) and the American Legion (West Salem, Post #499).

Family and friends may call at Matteson's Funeral Home in West Salem on
Sunday, December 29th from 2-4pm & 6-8pm.  Funeral Services being held
Monday, December 30th at 11am at the West Salem United Methodist Church, 80
East Buckeye Street, West Salem, Ohio  44287 with Pastor Floyd Costello and
Deacon Peter Foradori officiating . Burial in West Salem Cemetery where
military rites will be conducted by James Stevenson American Legion Post 499 of West Salem.
Online condolences may be shared at the funeral home website
@www.mattesonfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the
West Salem United Methodist Church (80 E. Buckeye St.) or to the Village of
West Salem, School House Community Campus (PO Box 256, West Salem, OH
44287).  Please be sure to include "in memory of Elmer Toth" in the check
memo.

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