ELFRINK Stacy Elaine Elfrink, 44, passed away peacefully at her home at Lake Choctaw surrounded by loving family members on June 26. She was born in Springfield Community Hospital, Ohio to John and Barbara (Henry) Elfrink on June 29, 1970 being a beautiful gift to her mother since she was born on her mother's birthday. She was welcomed home by her big brother Michael John. He always watched over her and was her best friend growing up. She was the first granddaughter born in the Henry family and all of the family loved to spoil her! She was a beautiful child and young lady with the most beautiful big brown eyes and a smile that would light up any room. She was a life-long member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church, a 1988 LHS graduate even though some of her best memories were at Summerford and Deercreek schools. She attended college in California in Long Beach for fashion merchandising. After college, she worked at JC Penny, Macy's, Casual Corner and Discover Card Services in Columbus, working as a Major Merchant Rep. Many may remember her working at the London Swimming Pool for three years as a clerk and life guard. While growing up, she had many Elfrink cousins in her life, Jerry, Beth Ann and Linda Holland, Larry and Ramona Elfrink plus many more cousins. She loved the time she had with her Grandmaw and Grandpaw Elfrink, and Great Grandmother Verna Mae Henry. While growing up she felt very loved and had the best time during the holidays at Grandmaw and Pap's with Mike, Terri, Todd, Sean, Sondra Renee (Cuz), and Andy. She was lucky to have her "Cuz" in her life. She was so much fun. Stacy was on her way on July 14, 1993 to visit her grandfather Everett Lee Henry who was ill (he passed away on July 30, 1993). She was involved in an automobile accident and was life flighted to Grant Hospital with multiple life threatening injuries including traumatic head injury. She remained in a coma for two months and spent months at Dodd Hall for therapy. Stacy had quiet courage. After months of rehab, she returned part time at Discovery due to the economy after 9-11. She loved to work. She participated in HIRE program (Head Injury Re-Entry Program) to get her back into the work force at Discover. She later worked at Grove Golf Course for 7 summers and falls where they were very kind to her and made many friends there. She also volunteered at Fairhaven School and London City Schools. She never gave up for the following 22 years. She was accepted at DBS Program which was like having a full time job and it made her feel so good about herself again. Her hopes were that this research would help individuals in the future. Stacy always asked Dr. Rezai if there was any new treatments repeatedly and she thanked him for "listening" to her. Then she met Dr. Rezai and the Deep Brain Stimulation Team, Dr. John Coridzar and Dr. Jennifer Beognam and their wonderful staff. She became the first person in the world to have the DBS surgery. She continued with the team of DBS after the surgery up until her death. She was able to get off so many medications, helped her speech, she became more alert and more interactive. She didn't know what life would be like after the surgery. Dr. Mysiw always did the settings on her DBS and always had her best interest at heart. She only hoped that her participation would help many people in the future. A special on 60 Minutes this fall will air regarding this program and progress. Stacy loved children. In the earlier years prior to her accident, she loved to spoil her nephew, Derrick Elfrink, cousin Wesley Dorn and the 5 Henry "kids". They all brought her great joy! In the later years, she loved to spoil her niece Alexa Elfrink and the 4 "E"s, Emma, Everett, Evan and Elley Dorn. They all loved her so much and she will be missed dearly. They all gave her so much joy! What a gift! On April 30, 2012 she found out she had stage 4 melanoma. Dr. Homer Williams and Kristen Ryan helped her through this next obstacle. After a PT scan, they found it was spreading and she opted to not have any treatment. She kept doing blood work and x-rays at James Cancer Hospital. She stated "God did not want me 20 years ago and that she guessed He was ready for her now". She was ready to see her Grandmaw and Pap again. In May 2015 she started having pain and discovered her cancer had spread. Mt. Carmel Hospice came into her life for the final stage. No words can be said about how many medical people touched her life. They were more like family and friends. God kept putting good doctors on her journey and she was truly blessed. She will miss her family and loved them all. Left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted parents, Barbara and John Elfrink, brother Mike and Jeanne (Carter) Elfrink, niece and nephew, Derrick and Alexa Elfrink, aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family, including Phil and Mary Ann Henry, Sondra and Rich Hays, Terri (Henry) Dorn and Bobby Dorn, Todd and Celia Henry, Eddie (Nancy) Elfrink & family, Pauline (Elfrink) Elliott & family, Joe Elfrink & family, Mary (Elfrink) Casto & family, Raymond (Carolyn) Elfrink & family, Patty (Elfrink) Howard and family, Phillip Henry & family, Mary "Beth" (Henry) Yao & family, Christopher Henry & family, Tamar (Henry) Helber & family, and Josiah Henry, Sean Henry and his son Tyler, Sondra Renee "Cuz" Henry, Wesley Dorn (Molly) and his children, Emma, Everett, Evan and Elley, and her great aunt Marjorie (Graves) Martin. There were so many friends that helped her before and after her death that we wish to thank them also! God Bless You All! Preceding in death are her grandparents Everett "PAP" and Mary Jean (Graves) Henry, and Gerrit and Matilda Elfrink, Uncle Rudy Elfrink cousins Craig and Nate Elfrink and her best friend Brad Potter. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Mark Ghiloni officiating. Interment will follow in Somerford Township Cemetery, London. Friends and family may call at the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 N. Main Street, London from 4-8 p.m on Monday June 29, 2015. A prayer service will be offered during the calling hours at 4:30 p.m. The family suggests donations in Stacy's memory be made to OSUWMC Development, Att: Kyle Sebastian, PO Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218-3112. Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Date: 2015-06-30