Jack Elam passed away at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, at the age of 86. He was formerly of Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake.
He was born Jan. 29, 1932, in New Castle, to John and Rosa Cassity Elam. On April 29, 1952, he was married to Janet L. Hamilton, who survives.
He was a longtime resident of Kosciusko County, where he was a member of First Christian Church of Warsaw, 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge 418 F&AM in Milford, as well as a member of the Scottish Rite of Fort Wayne and American Legion Post 223 in Syracuse.
Jack proudly enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict as a supply sergeant. He served from Dec. 12, 1951, until his honorable discharge from the Air Force Reserve on Dec. 11, 1959, as an airman first class.
He was also a proud direct descendant of Matoaka, known in history as Pocahontas.
Jack retired in 1984 from Thunander Corp. in Elkhart, where he was the national sales manager for 15 years.
He loved his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be dearly missed.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Janet L. Elam, Winona Lake; daughter, Beth Yoder, Peru; son, Joe (Pat) Elam, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren: Brett (Daron) Elam, Marietta, Ga.; Adam (Jennifer) Yoder, Greentown; and Debbie (Brian) Pinnegar, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and three sisters.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
His funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Gary Boschain. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Syracuse Cemetery. Full military rites will be conducted by active members of the United States Air Force and American Legion Post 223 of Syracuse.
*****
Memorials to First Christian Church, 115 Park Ridge Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580.
Visit www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com to send condolences.
