Elmer McMillan

Elmer W. McMillan, 93, of Hawarden, IA, passed away, Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at Oakhill Assisted Living in Hawarden. Services will be held 10:30 am, Saturday, October 19 at The United Methodist Church, 1304 Avenue H, in Hawarden with Rev. Barbara Joy officiating. Visitation will be held from noon to 8 pm with family present from 6-8pm Friday, October 18 at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden following the service.

Elmer Wesley McMillan was born on July 6, 1920 in rural Akron, Iowa, the son of Edward and Margaret (Nelson) McMillan.

Elmer graduated from Banks Union High School in Banks, Oregon in 1938. He joined the United States Army as a surgical technician from 1942 until 1945. Elmer married Genevieve "Gen" McPherson on June 8, 1943 in Lincoln, NE. Gen passed away on March 10, 1999. Once out of the service, Elmer and Gen moved to South Dakota to farm, then in 1959 moved to Hawarden where Elmer went to work for Smith Electric, Plumbing and Heating, retiring in 1990. Due to declining health, he moved into Oakhill Assisted Living in March of 2011. He missed home, but he loved the staff and they took great care of him.

Elmer was an avid horseshoe player in his younger years; he enjoyed watching old western movies, and loved to go for drives in his car and out to breakfast.

Survivors include his children: Dennis and his wife Sandy of Akron, IA, Kenneth and his wife Sandra of Akron, IA, Kelvin and his wife Jan of Hawarden, IA, Edward and his wife Karma of Akron, IA, and Lorna Cross and her husband Don of Papillion, NE, grandchildren: Todd and Amy McMillan, Shanda and Bob Vargason, Kimberlee and David Heyl, Kerrie and Doug Olson, Kory McMillan and Sarah Sanders, Phil and Lori McMillan, Randy and Laura McMillan, Julie McMillan and her fianc' Mike Lamoureux, Cassie Adams and Jon Schoenfelder, Heather McCormick, Carol McCormick, Stephanie Cross, and Chantelle and Phil Snodgrass, 27 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, sister-in-laws: Fannie McMillan and Phyllis McMillan, Jeanie, Darlene, Vivian, Barb, and Darlene McPherson, and brother-in-law Fred and his wife Sharon McPherson.

Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, siblings: Sis Waterbury, Delmar, Herb, and Merle, and daughter-in-law Gail McMillan.