Obituary of Verl McElwain

Verl F McElwain was born on July 27th, 1933 south of Hugo, Colorado and passed on June 14th 2016 in Aurora, CO. Verl was the oldest of 3 children born to Wilbur Ralph McElwain and Mildred C. (Cox) McElwain. Verl grew up on the family farm south of Limon while attending country school through the 8th grade when he stopped to help work on the family farm and take on various jobs in town. Verl joined the Air Force in April, 1953 where he received his GED and met the love of his life, Peg Mitchem in July of 1953. Verl and Peg were married June 13th 1954. The Air Force led Verl and Peg to Sumter, South Carolina for 1 year and Long Island, New York for 2 years. Verl worked on B25 & B26's he was very proud of his military service and later in life took his family to South Carolina to show them where he and Peg had begun their 62 year marriage. Verl left the service in April, 1957 where he and Peg moved back to the Limon area and leased property near Agate, Colorado to farm and dairy. In the fall of 1958, Verl and Peg moved to Limon, Colorado where they leased and ran Mac’s Mobile Station. In 1959, Verl and Peg moved to Aurora, Colorado where Verl ran a dump truck to various construction sites in the state of Colorado. In 1961, Verl bought his own dump truck and continued to travel with his family around the state. He was most proud of the completion of the Grand Junction Airport and watching the first jet land on the runway that he had helped build. In 1968 Verl and Peg bought a dairy farm and 640 acres of farm and grass land. Verl’s heart was always in the country near his family and hometown and there he and Peg began to grow wheat, feed crops, beef cattle and run a dairy farm. He later purchased his parents homestead of 160 acres. Verl was an active Delegate on the Mountain Empire Dairy Association for 17 years. He received recognitions for Excellent Quality Milk production for 5 consecutive years. Verl also served on the Simla School Board for 12 years and was able to give each daughter their high school diploma. Verl was a dedicated husband, father, father-in-law, and Grandpa. He loved his family and certainly never met a stranger. He loved to joke around and pull pranks and was always admired by kids, especially his grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Verl was preceded in death by his father Wilbur McElwain, mother Mildred McElwain and brother Leon McElwain. Verl is survived by his Wife Peg, daughters Debbie Humpert, Diane Hugley (Andy), Becky Mahalic (Mark) Grandchildren, Amanda, Andy, and Rebecca.