CENTERVILLE —
Helen McElvain, 89, of Centerville, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 at Golden Age Care Center in Centerville.
She was born Nov. 1, 1922 in Centerville, the daughter of Ralph and Violet (Woods) Shorts. Helen attended Centerville Schools and graduated from Centerville High School. She later earned her associate’s degree from Centerville Community College.
Helen held numerous positions of employment throughout her working career. She worked as a secretary for both the CB&Q Railroad and Centerville Chamber of Commerce. Helen also worked at the Centerville National Bank. She dedicated many years working elections for the Appanoose County Republican Party.
She married Paul Vernon McElvain on Feb. 24, 1946 at the First Methodist Church in Centerville. After moving to the farm with her husband Paul, Helen was active in the YW Study Club, Farm Bureau, the Gideons, and was an active member of the Seymour Methodist Church.
Helen enjoyed several hobbies, including traveling, singing, gardening, flowers, crafts, reading and church activities.
She is survived by her husband Paul McElvain of Centerville; four children, Bonnie (Hugo) Keyner of Vail, Ariz., Terry (Janice) McElvain of Centerville, John (Marcella) McElvain of Council Bluffs and James (Melinda) McElvain of Corydon; son-in-law Arnt Hampton of McMinnville, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren, Jason (Wendy) McElvain of Centerville, Jeremy McElvain of Centerville, Jeff McElvain of Papallion, Neb., Chris (Kaley) McElvain of Homestead, Darcie (Dan) Feller of Council Bluffs, Jessica (Shawn) Panich of Evansville, Wis., Skyler and Austin McElvain of Corydon, Aaron (Gretchen) Hampton of Columbia, Tenn. and Kendall (Amanda) Hampton of Nashville, Tenn.; eight great-grandchildren, RJ and Alyssa McElvain of Centerville, Adalynn McElvain of Homestead, Cole Feller of Council Bluffs, Jessie, Luke and Marianne Hampton of Columbia, Tenn. and Emma Hampton of Nashville, Tenn.; and a sister Lola Shorts of Centerville.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter Sandra Hampton.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with Pastor Kay Singley officiating. A visitation was held Sunday at Lange Funeral Home from 12-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. Sunday evening. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Jerome Cemetery.
Memorials have been established to the Seymour Methodist Church and may be given to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544.
Condolences may be shared at www.langefh.com.
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January 30, 2012
Helen McElvain
- Obituaries
