Elmer L. Bachtold, 94, Fairbury and formerly of Forrest died at 1:50 pm Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Friday, April 3, 2009 at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest with the ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in the South Apostolic Christian Cemetery, rural Fairbury.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 am Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury.

Mr. Bachtold was born August 5, 1914 in Francesville, IN the son of William and Ida Alt Bachtold. He married Wilma Kupferschmid on August 28, 1938 in Peoria, IL. She died on March 3, 1998.

Surviving are his children, Shirley (William) Denick, Bloomington, IL; Sharon (Donald) Metz, Northville, MI; Jerry (Beverly) Bachtold, Forrest; Verna (Thomas) Feely, Chatsworth; Janice (Jack) Wilson, Streator; and Linda (Ronald) Kinder, Hudson; seventeen grandchildren, thirty two great grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.

Also surviving is three sisters, Nettie Kyburz, Forrest; Laura Kupferschmid, Eureka; Janita (Leroy) Koehl, Forrest and one brother, Willis (Elsie) Bachtold, Fairbury.

He is preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Bachtold was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest.

Mr. Bachtold farmed in his earlier years and later co-owned and operated Bachtold Brothers Inc., Forrest. As sole owner of the business he sold it in the mid 1970's to retire.

Dad and mom loved to travel with family and friends. Dad enjoyed music, especially singing and playing his dulcimer, psaltry and harmonica. He was a quiet man who loved his family and his Lord and looked forward to going to his heavenly home.