Jimmie McElwee, 74, loving husband and father, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at his home in Lebanon, PA, where he lived for the last three years.
Born on February 1, 1947, and raised in Ithaca, New York, he lived more than 50 years in the City of Pottsville, PA. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lotz McElwee, his daughter Lizanne McElwee (both of Lebanon), his daughter Barbara Smith and son-in-law James Smith of Wyomissing, and two grandchildren, Jaris and Jacob Fenstermaker. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dane and Jean McElwee.
Jimmie was retired from the U.S. Navy, which included serving as a Damage Controlman aboard the USS Forrestal and USS Independence out of Norfolk, VA. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964, serving a total of 24 years of service.
Jimmie was a member of the Orwigsburg Lions Club, the Palmerton Lions Club, and served as Lions Club District Governor of District 14-U. He was also a member of Masonic Schuylkill Lodge #138 F. & A.M., and was Past Master (2006 and 2011). He was a past Post Commander and lifelong member of VFW’s Joseph Morrison Post #2198 in Orwigsburg and a lifelong member of the American Hose Company in Pottsville. Jimmie was a member of the Steelworkers Union at Dana Corporation for more than 20 years.
A service followed by interment will be at the National Cemetery at Fort Indiantown Gap on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at 10:30 AM. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Pennsylvania Lions Care for Kids, Four Diamonds at 1249 Cocoa Avenue #115, Hershey, PA 17033.
