John Robert ELDER, 89, died Saturday, January 19, 2013 in MedCentral Mansfield Hospital.

Mr. Elder was born on Thursday, May 31, 1923 to the late John and Annie Elder in Turin, Georgia and had lived in Mansfield the past 66 years. John was an Army veteran of World War II. After his discharge he worked for Brandenber, Haring's Valet Parking Garage, and retired in 1985 from CPC/General Motors Plant after 27 years of service. He was a member of the China Grove Baptist Church in Turin. In his spare time he liked to fish. John was a baseball fan playing semi-pro baseball in his younger years and watching baseball on TV especially his Cleveland Indians.

John is survived by his wife Sarah and son Sylvester Bobby Elder, Mansfield; 4 additional children Alfaye (Dennis) Torrence, Mansfield, Robert Elder, Newnan, Georgia, Lori Thompson, Saginaw, Michigan, and Amber Elder, Lawrenceberg, Indiana; 8 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents 1 sister and 5 brothers also preceded John in death.

Funeral services will be held Friday, at 11:00 AM in the Ruth Anna Lee Williams Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Services with Dr. Walter Jordan, II of the Oasis of Love Church officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the funeral service. The Joint Veteran’s Burial Detail at the close of the funeral service will preform military services. Interment will be in Mansfield Cemetery

The family will also receive friends at the home of John’s daughter Faye, 652 Andover Rd. from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.