Claude Elam 1892-1986

ELAM, SANDUSKY, SHULTZ, ORR, ROBINSON, CRISWELL, CROWDER, REED, COLEMAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/17/2008 at 13:10:00

Montezuma (IA) Republican

CLAUDE ELAM DIES IN MARSHALLTOWN

The funeral of Claude Roy Elam, 94, was Oct. 15 at Watts Funeral Home in Montezuma. He died Oct. 11 at Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. The Rev. Fred Harris of United Methodist Church in New Sharon officiated and burial was in Highland Cemetery in New Sharon.

Casket bearers were John Criswell, Randy Criswell, Danny Robinson, Lloyd Orr, Russell Orr and Gary Criswell. A military graveside service was by members of Coffin-Miller American Legion Post of New Sharon. Alice Underwood was organist.

Mr. Elam was born Aug. 11, 1892, in Monticello, Ken., the son of William and Cynthia Sandusky Elam. He married Leona Shultz Orr on Sept. 8, 1930 and was a father to her five children. She died April 30, 1981. They farmed near Montezuma and near LaPlata, Mo., until they retired to New Sharon. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of Coffin-Miller American Legion Post in New Sharon for more than 50 years. He is survived by a sister, Lola Crowder of Newton and a sister-in-law, Opal Elam of Brashear, Mo.; his wife's children and their spouses: Clarence and Dixie Orr of Glenview, Ill.; Lawrence and JoAnn Orr of Nebraska City, Neb.; Florence and Tracy Reed of New Sharon; and Elsie Coleman of New Sharon; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; 28 nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife he was preceded in death by his twin sister, Clora Criswell, four sisters and two brothers; his stepson, John Orr; a grandson, Larry Orr; two great-grandsons; a son-in-law and several nieces and nephews.