Virgil Wayne McElwee's Obituary
Virgil Wayne McElwee, 89 of Newark passed away after courageously fighting a long battle with heart and kidney disease.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Newark Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home with Jerry Dawson, Keith Kull and Scott Rice officiating. Burial will follow in Hanover Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.
He served 2 years in WWII as a seaman in the Merchant Marines having tours of duty in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Coast Guard. Mr. McElwee was born May 15, 1925 in Cambridge, Ohio to A. Judson and Elizabeth A.(Hunnel) McElwee.
He retired in 1986 as a research machinist at the Owens-Corning Technical Center with 28 years of service. He was employed for 10 years with American Electric Power and 4 years with Universal Pottery. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and a member of the Southgate Church of Christ for the past 25 years, serving in various capacities as teacher, elder and deacon. He enjoyed traveling, camping, OSU Buckeyes and many times to Crow Lake in Ontario, Canada to fish. He and his wife visited all 50 states and traveled through Europe. He recently delighted in celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was a”grandfather” figure to many of the children he knew.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth M. (Hawkins) McElwee, whom he married August, 2, 1944; children, Patricia (Jim) Auxier of Ankeny, IA, Linda (Jerry) Dawson of Sherrodsville, OH, Jeff (Lisa) McElwee of Newark; six grandchildren, Cindi Moore, Lauri Auxier, Todd Dawson, Julie Bennett, Aaron McElwee, Shannan McElwee; seven great-granddaughters, two great-grandsons; one great-great-granddaughter; three sisters, Helen Gregg of Cambridge, Emma Tedrick of Canton, Ruth Holmes of New Concord; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lester McElwee and his brothers-in-law.
Calling hours and a brunch will be observed Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to1:00 p.m.at the VENSIL & CHUTE FUNERAL HOME 1850 W. Main St.
The family requests memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Ohio Valley Affiliate, 333 Guthrie Street, Suite 207, Louisville, KY 40202 or National Kidney Foundation, 2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Suite 260, Columbus, Ohio 43231. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
What’s your fondest memory of Virgil?
What’s a lesson you learned from Virgil?
Share a story where Virgil's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Virgil you’ll never forget.
How did Virgil make you smile?