Richard 'Dick' Elwell, 81; Former Director of Crystal Lake Jaycees

Richard "Dick" Elwell, 81, died Sunday, August 4, 2013, in his Willow Brooke Court residence at Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville, Georgia.

Born in Chicago, Dick graduated from Oak Park High School in Oak Park. Beyond high school, Dick got his education at Culver Stockton College in Canton, Missouri; at Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis.; and at the Evanston campus of Northwestern University. All this schooling earned Dick a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Beyond that he took post-graduate night courses at Northwestern University's Chicago campus.


Dick, an Army Veteran, received his Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He then went to Army Security Agency (ASA) School at Fort Devens, MA. Dick was a Sergeant in the ASA from 1953-56 and served at Fort Bragg, NC, Camp Momioma in Japan and Camp Shulinko in Taiwan. His last position was as a Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of the Radio Traffic Analysis Section of the 327th Communications Reconnaissance Company.

Dick began his career as an Advertising Assistant at Admiral Corporation in Chicago. Then he became Marketing Manager with Teledyne Big Beam, first in Chicago and then in Crystal Lake. He was also Vice President of Profile Publications in Crystal Lake, Red Line Litho in Crystal Lake, and President of T.R. Jones Machine Co. in Crystal Lake. 

Dick's hobbies and interests included hunting, golf, dog training, and radio-controlled car racing. He was a member of Mu Theta Nu (Mathatropian Literary Society), the oldest local social fraternity west of the Mississippi River.

Dick was Director, Vice President and Hall of Fame member of the Crystal Lake Jaycees. He was also Vice President of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce and President of its Manufacturers Division.

Most recently, Dick was hospital visitor of Mended Hearts, Inc., an open-heart surgery support system. For years Dick was a faithful Mended Hearts volunteer in Clearwater, Florida and then in Gainesville, Georgia.

Dick nourished his faith at First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, where he was Chairman of the Board. Dick remained very active in his community and church family in his later years in Clearwater and Gainsville.

Dick is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Cuddeback Elwell; his son, Richard David (Jean) Elwell of Machesney Park, IL; his daughter, Laura (Everett Clark) Elwell Kunold of Elgin; his granddaughter, Stephanie Allison Kunold; and step-grandson, Kevin Wollitz.

A memorial visitation will be on Wednesday, August 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake. 

Memorials may be made to The Mended Hearts, Inc., National Office, 8150 N. Central Expressway, M2248, Dallas, TX 75206. 

For information call the funeral home at 815-459-1760. Online condolences may be made at www.querhammerandflagg.com.