Edward Harvey McElvain
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Edward Harvey McElvain was born to parents Joseph Harvey McElvain and Sally (Crumbacher) McElvain on January 22, 1949 in Du Quoin, Illinois. At age 34 Harvey moved with his family to Des Moines, Washington where he lived until age 55; he then moved to Tucson, Arizona where he would spend the next eight years. After a four month encounter with cancer, Harvey went to sleep peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sept. 10, 2010 at 3:05 p.m. in Tacoma, Washington and awoke with the Lord. Harvey had a strong faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and he knew that his life was not coming to an end, but only just beginning. John 3:16 / 2 Corinthians 5:17 / Revelation 21:4.
Harvey was preceded in departure from this life by his parents Joseph Harvey McElvain, Leslie Crumbacher (step father), Sally Crumbacher of Du Quoin, Illinois: and his second wife Beverly Ann Harms McElvain of Des. Moines, Washington. He is survived by his children Hillary Dawn McElvain and Joshua Heath McElvain of Tacoma, Washington: Rebekah (Ryan) Gagnon of Snohomish, Washington: Natasha Schwartz of Tacoma, Washington: Isaac Schwartz of Des Moines, Washington. His sister Nina Hill of Du quoin, Illinois: and his first wife Deborah Joann McElvain. His grandchildren; Sophia McElvain, Hallie Dowling, Samuel Dowling, Riley, Rainey and Ria Gagnon.
Harvey served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1973 as a rescue air crewman, and UH-2C helicopter plane captain. Harvey was honorably discharged and received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Commendation with Gallantry Cross. Harvey then went on to work for the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad as a Locomotive Engineer from 1973 to 1983; for Norfin Aerospace as a machinist from 1983 to 1986, and for the Boeing Company as a Machinist, Burner-Polisher, and many other classifications from 1986 to 2003, from which he retired. Harvey was a peaceful, kind, loving man who will surely be missed by all of those who knew him. A celebration of his life was held on Sept. 18, 2010 at his son Joshua's house. Private Inurnment at Tahoma National Cemetery will be held. Arrangements by Tuell-McKee Funeral Home. (253) 272-1414. Please sign online guest book at www.tuellmckee.com.