Richard "Dick" Elwell's Obituary
Mr. Richard “Dick” C. Elwell, age 91, passed away Friday, September 17, 2010 in Muskegon. He was born February 19, 1919 in Muskegon to Orson and Winifred (Doctor) Elwell and resided here his entire life. Dick was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in WWII. He retired in 1979 after 23 years from MichCon, and previously worked for Hassett Oil Company. Dick was a former member of Central Reformed Church and currently at Unity Reformed Church. He was active in the consistory and choir for many years at Central Reformed, and more recently involved in the Cross Group, Seekers Sunday School Class, and the XYZ Senior Group at Unity Reformed. He loved fixing old cars, golfing, fishing, camping, traveling on bus trips, wintering in Florida and most of all his family. On June 1, 1942 he married the former Marjorie “Marge” Vanderlaan, and she preceded Dick in death on June 23, 2010 after celebrating 68 years of marriage together. SURVIVORS include 3 children, David L. (Virginia) Elwell, Julie Ann (Rev. Burt) Wachter, Richard D. (Maloah) Elwell all of Muskegon; 7 grandchildren, Jilanne Marine, Burt (Brenda) Wachter III, Melissa (Christopher) Near, Gregory (Wendy) Elwell, Angela (Peter) Thompson, Joel (Rabecca) Wachter, and Anthony Elwell; 19 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Vi Mattson of North Muskegon and Alice (Harvey) Deater of Utica, MI. Dick was also preceded in death by sister, Kathleen Johnson; and brother, Gerald Elwell. The FUNERAL SERVICE will be 4PM Tuesday at The Lee Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100 with Rev. Burt Wachter and Rev. Jim Bos officiating. VISITATION will be 1 hour prior to the service, from 3-4 PM. Burial will take place in Norton Cemetery. Memorial Contributions to Unity Reformed Church or Wolf Lake Baptist Church will be appreciated.
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