Elmer J. Finkbiner passed away August 28, 2025, at Stormont Vale Hospital in Topeka, Kansas after a lengthy Parkinson’s illness. He was born June 24, 1938, in Washington County to Elmer and Margaret (Long) Finkbiner.  

Elmer was a 1955 graduate of Clifton High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Kansas State University and his master’s in Environmental Health and Safety Engineering from Southwest Missouri State University. Elmer married Tanis Ann Marshall on June 4, 1966. To this union two sons were born, Eric and Christopher.

Elmer taught for several years and then started his career with Goodyear where he worked as a supervisor in Topeka, Kansas and abroad in Casablanca, Morocco as a safety engineer. He then returned stateside and worked in the safety engineering consulting field with power plants throughout the US and abroad in Saudi Arabia. After the 9/11 terrorist attack, he returned to the states and retired in Clifton.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, son/Christopher, daughter-in-law/Karen, brothers/Robert, Carl and John Finkbiner, sisters/JoAnne DesCoteaux and Carol Dauksch, brothers-in-law/Elmer Lee DesCoteaux, Frank Dauksch and Larry Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 59 years/Tanis, son/Eric, two grandsons/Ian and Spencer (Anahi), one sister/Marjorie Pfister (Steve); in-laws/Jana Finkbiner, Mary Finkbiner, Joan (Joe) Flesher, Susan Thomas, Stan (Ann) Marshall, Dan (Marla) Marshall, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In retirement Elmer enjoyed fixing and tinkering with all things that needed attention. Even during his last days in Topeka he asked Tanis to bring him his tools so he could tweak his bed to make it easier to get out of. In health and illness, he was a true engineer.

It was Elmer’s wishes to be cremated. A private, graveside service for family will be held at a later date.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Clifton Ambulance Fund.