Richard D Elam

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2010 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Gary Crowder officiating. Visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Stewardson Cemetery, Stewardson, IL. Memorials may be given to the Chautauqua Restoration Fund in Shelbyville.

Mr. Elam was born on September 30, 1932 in Decatur, IL, the son of Lauren “Doc” and Erma Stevens Elam. He graduated from Stewardson High School in 1950. He then went to Korea to serve our country in the United States Air Force. Upon returning, he worked as a draftsman with the Oliver Corporation in Shelbyville and retired from Blaw-Knox in Mattoon as an illustrator. Mr. Elam was widely known as a talented painter. He touched many lives through his commitment, and was a friend of Bill’s since 1977. He was a member of Roy Vanderpool American Legion Post #81 and Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 both of Shelbyville. He married Mildred L. “Millie” Carroll on December 25, 1951. She died on October 12, 1997.

Surviving are his sons, Richard J. “Joe” Elam and wife Carol of Mendota and Jeffrey L. “Jeff” Elam and wife Andrea of Shelbyville; brother, David Elam and wife Nancy of Mattoon; sisters, Mary “Bunny” Dodson and husband Terry of Spencer, IA, Sally Jones and husband Jerry of Shelbyville and Cathy Barger and husband Greg of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Jennifer Billingsley and husband Chris of Sparks, NV, Justin Elam of Mendota, Abbey Elam of Pana and Jake Elam of Shelbyville; and great grandchildren, Cailynn Suzanne Elam and Jack Allen Phegley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Millie; and infant brother, Jim Elam.