Submitted by: Dan Rich
Aug. 24, 1924 - March 20, 1999
South Bend Tribune 3/22/1999
SOUTH BEND - Leonard J. Elwell, 74, residing on Orange Road, South Bend, Ind., passed away after an extended illness at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, in his home. Mr. Elwell worked in transportation as a truck driver for 32 years. Leonard was born on Aug. 24, 1924, in Vandalia, Mich., to the late Claude and Lois Elwell. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Rubin and Ninia Parish in Decatur, Mich., and had lived in South Bend since 1948.
On May 22, 1948, in South Bend, he married the former Hazel O. Dayberry, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Shirley D. Sawyer of South Bend; two sons, David J. Elwell and Joseph D. Elwell, both of South Bend; six grandchildren, Steven R. Collins, Joey Breden, Adam Breden, Tabatha Elwell, Tonya Elwell and David Elwell; two great-grandchildren, Kelsey Mathias and Karlie Collins; and by a sister, Harriet Patterson of Reno, Nev. He was preceded in death by a son, Leonard E. Elwell on April 1, 1989.
Leonard was a United States Army veteran of World War II and was honorably discharged in 1945. He served his country well. He also served the city of South Bend and volunteered as a former controller for the Civil Defense for 10 years.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, in the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Rev. D. Philip Thomas, pastor of the Ardmore Wesleyan Church in South Bend, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today in the Palmer Funeral Home. Contributions in memory of Leonard J. Elwell may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.