Mr. Elam retired from Ameren U.E. and was a member of Local 148 Operating Engineers. Alfred was a U.S. Navy Veteran, having served in World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the United States Navy League and a plank owner at the U. S. Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. Alfred was a lifetime member of the Belleville VFW Post #1739, a lifetime member of DAV Chapter 24, and was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Nellie Colleen, nee Simpson, Elam, whom he married on June 6, 1946 and who died on August 1, 2016; his parents, Edgar and Florence, nee Chatillion, Elam; one son, Bradley Elam; three sisters, Dorothy Absheer, Florence Reed, and Louise Reed; and a sister-in-law, Wanda Hemphill.
Surviving are two sons, Gregory Elam (Pamela Irwin) of Swansea, IL,
and David (Loretta) Elam of California;
three grandchildren: Jennifer (John) Hoerchler, Megan Kunkle, and Alex Elam;
six great-grandchildren;
one great-great-grandchild;
three sisters-in-law: Verla (Charles) Sullivan of Affton, MO,
Dolores (Lewis) Shank of Florissant, MO,
and Thelma (Robert) Dehn of High Ridge, MO.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2017 at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. A VFW Post #1739 Ritual will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Funeral: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 5, 2017, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Doug Stewart officiating. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Condolences Left For Alfred Elam
Gregory and David and your families Both Betty and I are sorry for the LOSS of Bud who was a good neighbor and friend God Bless
Bob &Betty Bolt, Smithton, Il, 62285
As a resident of St. Paul’s, I had the pleasure and honor of knowing Alfred and Nellie, having seen them regularly walking together and caring for one another. Alfred reminded me of my father, who was in the same way faithful and devoted to my mother. My dad was also, like Alfred, in the Navy in the Pacific in World War II. Dad served in the engine room of an escort aircraft carrier involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. His ship was hit by a kamikaze pilot; fifty-two lives were lost. I enjoyed talking to Alfred about his experiences on a destroyer. Our fathers were part of the generation which surely, by the grace of God, saved civilization for the world, including the children and grandchildren they had not yet met. God bless (as He already has) Alfred, Nellie, and their family.
Greg Voss, Belleville, Illinois, 62220
The old neighborhood is really changing! We had a good one! So sorry for your loss!
Ruth Berkel, O’Fallon, Illinois, 62269
I’m so sorry for your loss. I was a friend of Brad’s and I enjoyed talking to his mom and dad when he would ask me to check on them. Maybe that’s why I saw this. Out of the blue I had the urge to check on them. Now they both are whole again and I pray Brad is with them.
Tonia Joellenbeck, Waterloo, Illinois, 62298