Cover photo for Elon "Van" Alwin's Obituary
Elon "Van" Alwin Profile Photo
1926 Elon 2017

Elon "Van" Alwin

February 20, 1926 — December 14, 2017

ELON VAN ALWIN

Elon "Van" Alwin, age 91, passed away peacefully December 14, 2017 at home with his family, his loving wife, Marilyn Alwin, and his two children, Craig Alwin, Patty (Alwin) Kosek and sister Muriel "Bonnie" Sellers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Carol (Young) Alwin, and his sisters, Phyllis Sanders, and Joyce Vereschagin.

Van was born February 20, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the only son of four children who loved sports, was an Eagle Scout, and always active helping his grandparents and others. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17, was a corpsman, then medic, serving in World War II on Tinian Island at the time of the bombing of Japan and the end of the war. He enlisted again and served as a medic in Korea during the Korean conflict.

After his service, he went to college and earned his teaching degree in science. He taught high school science at St. Thomas Academy in Minneapolis, Mercer High School in Mercer, Wisconsin, and attended University of North Dakota for a year on a science federal grant.

Van then was hired in 1965 by Hunter Chapman from Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox, Illinois to teach Biology, Chemistry, and eventually develop Anatomy & Physiology for students pursuing medical careers. He retired in 1990 after 25 years of service to the community.

Van met his wonderful wife, Marilyn, through her roommate, Joyce Alwin, married in 1953, and had two children, Craig and Patty. They enjoyed camping across the United States experiencing nature first hand. Van has always had a passion for learning, animals—both wild and domestic, and wood working. He also enjoyed his family and his grandchildren--Melissa (Jeff) Small, Amy Alwin, Katie (Mike) Dennis, Jason (Sarah) Kosek, Lynne Kosek, Megan (Daniel) Roemer, and Brian Kosek, and his great-grandchildren—Zoey Small and Avery Roemer.

Memorials for Elon Van Alwin would be appreciated to Ridgewood Baptist Church and Will County Humane Society. Van will be interred with full military honors at Abraham Lincoln Cemetary on Wednesday, December 20 at 2:30 pm. Visitation will be held from 10:30-12:30, with a memorial service at 12:30 at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd., New Lenox.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elon "Van" Alwin, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

10:30am - 12:30 pm (Central time)

Kurtz Memorial Chapel - New Lenox

102 East Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Starts at 12:30 pm (Central time)

Kurtz Memorial Chapel - New Lenox

102 East Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Starts at 2:30 pm (Central time)

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

20953 West Hoff Road, Elwood, IL 60421

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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