Msgr. Charles W. Elmer, S.T.D., P.A.,88, formerly of Iron Mountain, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2011, at St. Dominic Village, Houston, Tex. He was born May 19, 1923, in Aurora, Wis., son of the late John L. and Eva (Goulette) Elmer, Iron Mountain. Charles grew up in Aurora, Wis., and Iron Mountain. He attended Iron Mountain High School and graduated, Class of 1941. Charles then attended the University of Wisconsin until classes were cut short when the United States entered World War II. He joined the US Army in 1942, as part of the 430th Anti-Aircraft Battalion of the Second Armored division. Charles was one of the brave soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Charles entered the seminary for the Diocese of Marquette where he studied Philosophy at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee and then Theology at the North American College in Rome. He was ordained a priest on December 20, 1952, in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. He continued his studies in Rome and received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He celebrated his first solemn Mass at his home parish of St. Mary & St. Joseph in Iron Mountain on August 9, 1953. Fr. Charlie was initially assigned to parish ministry in the Marquette Diocese. He transferred to the Diocese of Austin for health reasons. There he served as director of campus ministry and pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Center at the University of Texas A&M for ten years. In 1964, Fr. Charlie was called back to Rome and named Vice-Rector of the Casa Santa Maria. He also worked as the Director of the Bishop's Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican. Simultaneously, Fr. Charlie pursued further studies and received a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. During this period in Rome, Fr. Elmer was named Papal Chamberlain and received the title of Very Reverend Monsignor. He also earned two doctorates from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas in Rome. Upon returning to his home diocese, Fr. Charlie became the founding pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, but was soon again called to Rome, this time, to fill the position of business administrator as well as spiritual director for the North American College. After seven years in Rome, Fr. Charlie returned to the U.S. to join the formation faculty of Holy Trinity Seminary in the Diocese of Dallas, first as spiritual director and later as rector of the seminary. In 1987, Msgr. Elmer returned to Rome to serve as the Rector of the Casa Santa Maria. Upon the completion of his twelve-year tenure, he forwent his planned sabbatical and rejoined the faculty of the NAC as spiritual director. Msgr. Elmer officially retired in 2003, and was invited to St. Mary Seminary in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to be an advisor to the faculty and spiritual director and academic instructor to the seminarians. By making prayer an integral part of his day and living a life of trust, simplicity, and humble obedience, he has been a model and inspiration to generations of priests and family. His greatest desire as a priest was to be a link in people's relationships with the Lord, helping them to know and love the Lord, by first knowing that they are loved by Him. He is survived by one brother, John "Tim" (Betty) Elmer, Iron Mountain; two sisters, Vivian (Ralph) Larson, Green Bay, Wis., Marguerite Larscheid, Green Bay; many nieces and nephews. On Thursday, September 8, a Vigil will be conducted at 7:00 p.m., in the chapel of St. Mary Seminary, 9845 Memorial Drive, Houston, Tex. A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2011, in the chapel of St. Mary Seminary. Locally, the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at the Monastery of the Holy Cross (Carmelite Monastery), N4028 North US Hwy. 2, Iron Mountain. Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample will celebrate. Concelebrating will be Reverend Brandan Cahill. Burial will be in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain. The American Legion Uren-Cooper-Johnson Post No. 50, Iron Mountain, will accord military honors at graveside. Memorials can be made in Msgr. Elmer's memory to the Carmelite Monastery, N4028 North US Hwy. 2, Iron Mountain. You may light a candle in remembrance of Msgr. Elmer or leave a condolence for his family at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com. The Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, is serving the family.