Jerome Harold Elwell, age 85, of Chillicothe, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Lacon Rehabilitation.
Jerry was born on December 9, 1935 to Lorimer D. and Winifred (White) Elwell at their home in Peoria, IL. He married Judith L. "Judie" Caldwell on July 27, 1958. She survives.
Also surviving are his sons, Mitch (Sandi) Elwell and Brad (Nikki) Elwell; four grandsons; four granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, L.D. Elwell, Jr.; three sisters, Dorothy Thompson, Mary Tighe and Sarah Gallagher; and two grandchildren, Amanda and Jerome Elwell.
Jerry served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. He then worked for Caterpillar, starting in the Research Department. He graduated from the Engineering Draftsman Program and began working in various Engineering departments, before moving into the growing Data Processing Department in 1961. There he served in various staff and management positions. He retired in May 1996 after 40 years of service.
Jerry served on numerous community and civic organizations including the Dunlap High School Alumni Association, the Chillicothe Softball Association, Kiwanis Club, the IVC School Board and IVC Educational Foundation, Hamms Holiday Boat Club, and was a charter member of Pearce Community Center. He was also moderator of the Chillicothe Congregational Church where, with his wife, enjoyed leading the Youth Group.
Jerry and his wife enjoyed many years of camping with their growing children, boating, traveling in their motor home to NASCAR races where he volunteered to help in the Caterpillar Hospitality tents, and spending many winters of his retirement in Fort Myers, FL.
A public visitation will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 4pm to 7pm at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. The current Covid mitigations will be held effect with restrictions on social distancing and face coverings. A private funeral service will be held on Monday at the funeral home with burial following at Prospect Cemetery in Dunlap. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the IVC Educational Foundation.
Visitation
DEC
20.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST)
Weber-Hurd Funeral Home
1107 North Fourth Street
Chillicothe, IL 61523
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