Thomas E. "Tom" McElfresh, 81, of Dresden, died at 10:33AM Wednesday May 25, 2011 at the Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital ER.

Mr. McElfresh was born June 22, 1929, a son of the late Perry and Elsie (Szirbeck) McElfresh. For many years, Tom operated Tom's Body Shop in Dresden and enjoyed gardening and always shared his produce. Anyone driving down Chestnut Street can recall his smile and baskets of tomatoes ready for anyone to pick up. He had attended the Muskingum Presbyterian Church and was a US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Surviving are his children, Vickie (Jack) Large of Coshocton, Jenny (Barry) Shumaker of Dresden, Tom E. McElfresh, Jr. of Dresden, Patsy (Ken) Stout of Dresden; grandchildren, Steve (Jen) Large, Nichole (Stan) Braxton, Shannon (Jason) Shumaker, Aaron (Devyn) Shumaker, Kyle Smythe, Laken Webb; 11 great-grandchildren and one expectant great-grand child; sisters, Jane Kinney of PA, Bernice Behler and Marilyn Hellworth both of the Dayton area; a brother, Sidney (Iris) McElfresh of Kettering and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sondra T. (Cullins) McElfresh on July 31, 1973 and a brother, Perry Robert McElfresh.

Friends may call 2-4 & 6-8PM Friday May 27, 2011 at the Dresden Chapel of Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Home, 714 Main Street. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11AM with Pastor James Large officiating.