Henry David “Hank” Elder (1931-2026) departed this life peacefully at home on June 13, 2026, at the age of 95. Hank was born on April 28, 1931, in Vermillion, Kansas to Eldon and Lela Elder.
Hank was a dedicated husband to Mary Grace, his loving wife of 71 years, and a devoted father to his six children, Cheryl Elder Carner, Michael Elder (Denise), Donna Elder Pettit (Bob), LauraElder Myer (Bob), Gary Elder (Kim), and Kathleen Elder Gaskey (Steve). Hank is also survived by his younger sister, Annalee Nelson, 20 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Hank was predeceased by his parents, Eldon and Lela Elder; his brothers, Lowell and Dick Elder; his sisters, Meredith Buss and Alice Nemecheck; his grandsons, Jeremy Carner and Robert “Beau” Myer; and his great-grandson, Jurrien Hayes.
Throughout his life, Hank was a devoted family man, an avid mechanic, and a skilled aviation machinist. He was a strong-willed man who would do anything for those he loved and was known for his curiosity, determination, and ability to solve problems. He loved learning new things and had a creative, resourceful mind that allowed him to find practical solutions using everyday materials, often accomplishing what others thought could not be done. His mechanical skills, strong work ethic, thoughtful nature, and willingness to help others earned him the respect and admiration of his family, friends, and those who had the opportunity to interact with him.
One of the lessons he often shared with his children was, “If you're not going to do it right the first time, don't do it.” It was more than just a saying, reflecting the values by which he lived. He believed in taking pride in the work done, paying attention to details, and giving best effort to every task. Whether he was repairing a car engine, solving a problem, or helping someone in need, he approached everything with care, patience, and determination. The standards he set and the work ethic he demonstrated have become lasting lessons that his children carry with them each day.
Hank found joy in life’s simple pleasures and rarely remainedstill for long, frequently being found outdoors or working on various projects in his garage. Early in life, he enjoyed boating, fishing, and bowling, with more recent sedentary activities of reading Western novels, cheering on the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and watching Wheel of Fortune.
Visitation will be held at Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa, KS on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, with a rosary being said at 6:30 that evening. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park, KS.
In lieu of flowers, Hank's family suggest memorial contributions be made to Heartland Honor Flight