Inez M. Mcelwain

Inez Marie McElwain was born at Red Oak, Nebraska, September 20, 1912, the daughter of Burt and Jenny Miller Ball. The family moved to the farm at Oto, Iowa, where she was raised, receiving her education in the rural and Oto schools. Following her education she helped at home and did domestic work for area families. On May 26, 1936, Inez was united in marriage with Vernon H. McElwain at the Willow Township Methodist Church south of Charter Oak, Iowa. Their union was blessed with three children, Merle, Charles and Lila. They made their home on the McElwain Family farm seven miles south of Charter Oak where they farmed and Inez made a career of being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Upon their retirement from farming in 1977, Inez and Vernon moved to their home in Charter Oak. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening and her memberships in the Eastern Star and Charter Oak United Methodist Church. Her happiest moments were spent with her family. Vernon died August 9, 2005, and Inez remained in their home in Charter Oak. In March of 2009, she moved to the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, and it was there her death occurred Monday afternoon, July 18. 2011. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 98 years, 9 months and 28 days. Including her parents and husband, Inez was also preceded in death by her brother, Wayne Ball and sister-in-law, Ruth Ball. Those remaining to cherish her memory include two sons: Merle McElwain and wife Sherry of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Charles McElwain of Denver, Colorado; daughter: Lila Nutting and husband Don of Boulder, Colorado; six grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and eight great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.   Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa, with Pastor Len Garrison officiating. Music for the service included recorded vocal selections of “One Day at a Time” and “Take My Hand Precious Lord”. Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren: Rochelle Teal, Devin McElwain, Rhonda Jimenez, Jeffrey McElwain, Jill Marie Cooper and Lisa Marie Cranmer. Pallbearers included Dan C. Pfannebecker, Larry Carstensen, Robert Curnyn and Roger Dozark. Interment was at the Dow City Cemetery, Dow City, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.