Elmer Dean Strautman's Obituary
Elmer Dean Strautman, 88, of New Haven, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023, at home with his family by his side. Born in Rising Sun, he was the son of the late Alfred and Emma (Stegemiller) Strautman. He was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Fort Wayne. He received his master's degree from Indiana University in physical education. He retired in 1997 after 40 years in high school athletics and education with 36 of those years as an athletic administrator. He coached baseball, track, golf, cross country, boys volleyball and was also an assistant football coach for several years. He was a charter member of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, in 1992 he served as the President of the IHSAA Board of Directors and was a recipient of the Charles F. Mass Distinguished Service award, was the 1995 Indiana High School Athletic Director of the Year and was a four-time Vice Chairman of the IHSAA Executive Committee. In 1997 he was honored by Woodlan High School when they named the new high school gymnasium facility, "The Elmer D. Strautman Athletic Sports Complex". He was a member of the Harlan Masonic Lodge for many years before their merger with Leo Masonic Lodge 224.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ronda; sons, Roger (Kim) Strautman of Woodburn and Rodney (Cindy) Strautman of New Haven; grandchildren; Jared (Sally) Strautman of Fort Wayne, Regina (Clint) Hetrick of Harlan, Melissa (Tony) Coolman of Leo-Cedarville, and Rachel (Chris) Keller of Fort Wayne; and great grandchildren, Brooklyn, Jack, Max, Simon, Eva, Clay, Bryn, Ashlyn, and Elena. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence Strautman.
Funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Salem United Church of Christ, 2401 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne with visitation one hour prior. Visitation is also 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2023, at the church with a masonic service at 6 p.m. Burial in Scipio Cemetery, Harlan. Preferred memorials to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or the Woodlan High School Athletic Department. Arrangements by Harper's Community Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E. New Haven For online condolences please visit www.harperfuneralhome.com.
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