(Please note - the date of death for Elmer is incorrect in the heading. This was done so that he would be listed with the current services, as they are listed by date of death. We apologize for any confusion ~Swedberg Funeral Home) Elmer J. Beery, age 94 of Wyoming, formerly of Shawano, passed away January 16, 2013 at Star Valley Care Center in Afton, WY. Born on June 6, 1918 in Shawano he was the son of the late Ray and Mary Beery. Elmer was married to his wife, Alice (Gollnow), for 63 years until her passing on May 15, 2003. They raised two sons. He lived most of his life in the Shawano area and was engaged in cheese making for about 30 years before working in a 20-year career in law enforcement. His first career was interrupted by service to his country from August 1944 to February 1946, and he saw much combat in the World War II Pacific Theater with the 307 Regiment of the Army 77th Infantry Division, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. Upon return from the military, he purchased and operated the Grass Lake Cheese Factory in the town of Belle Plaine, Shawano County, from 1946-1972. Following that, he was a deputy sheriff and county court bailiff for Shawano County. He played an active role in the dairy industry of Wisconsin. He held offices in local, regional and state Cheesemakers Associations, including a term as president of the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association, where he was honored as a life member. At one point in his dairy career, he was selected as part of a goodwill tour for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the former USSR. After touring for a month, he returned to give many lectures and slide show presentations around the state. Elmer also had a keen interest in education, serving more than 25 years on local school boards. Much of that time was served as board clerk of Shawano County School District 8. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed his deer hunts, ice fishing, snowmobiling, boating and harvesting his own firewood. He is survived by: his sons, Dr. Alan Beery, Los Alamos, NM, and Collins (Pamela) Beery, Alpine, WY; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Elaine Henn; and one brother, Harvey "Jim" (Elaine) Beery. He was preceded in death by: sisters Arlene Jump, Evelyn Yeager, Gladys Schulze and Mildred Beery. His sister, Pearl Zaddack passed away 12 days after Elmer on January 28, 2013. A memorial service and celebration of Elmer's great life will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, April 5, 2013 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shawano, with military interment service by the Shawano American Legion Post #117 at the Sacred Heart Mausoleum. Any memorial wishes should be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shawano or Holy Family Catholic Church, Afton, Wyoming. Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the local arrangements. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com