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Eben Littlefield Elwell BATH - The honorable Eben Littlefield Elwell died Friday, March 20, 2009 at Maine Medical Center following a brief illness treated at first at Mid-Coast Hospital in Bath, Maine, resulting from chronic heart failure and type two diabetes. Due to the large family and friendship group to be contacted and the disposition of organ and tissue procedures a delayed notice occurred. Mr. Elwell was born at home in South Brooks, Maine, the seventh son of 12 children born to Joseph and Delia (Roberts) Elwell on Jan. 20, 1921. He was a Liberty Ship builder during WWII at South Portland. He was in the State Legislature in the 97th session in 1954 and was State Treasurer in 1965. He was also the first Director of The Maine State Housing Authority, 1968-1971. He was Past Maine Mayflower Society Governor in 1989. Eben was the oldest living Maine Legislator at his passing. He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Judy Malone of Dundee, Ohio, Mrs. Alma Derosier of Palm Beach, Fla., Mrs. Harriet Barnard, of Augusta; a son, Gary Forest Elwell of Hallowell; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Mr. Elwell was predeceased by his 16 year old daughter, Ruth Alena Elwell in 1968. He is also survived by former wife, Rita Smith Elwell of Augusta, married Valentine's Day at Brooks in 1941. Both parents witnessed the death of their 16 year-old daughter, Ruth Alena Elwell in an auto accident they came upon. Neither fully recovered from the shock. His last years were dedicated to getting out a book based on research and tramping the ground and sailing waters where Maine began. Memorial services will be held at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hasson St., Farmingdale, on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Memorial service at 2:00 p.m., followed by the offices of the Masonic Order of Maine. Refreshments by the Relief Society after Memorial services. A stand of colors will be observed honoring Mr. Elwell's Scotch-Irish heritage and years of public service. The family of Mr. Elwell ask that in place of flowers, donations be made to the historical project left incomplete by Mr. Elwell's sudden death to: Eben L. Elwell Fort Saint George Writing Project 29 Preble Road Bowdoinham, ME 04008 Attn: Gary F. Elwell M.S. 207-899-5777 [email protected] Eben Littlefield Elwell
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We'd like to express our sympathy to each of Eben's family members and many friends at this time of loss.
I was privileged to serve on the Maine Mayflower Board of Assistance with Eben over the past ten years. His knowledge of the history of the State of Maine was incredible. Eben was always ready and willing to talk to anyone who was interested in history and genealogy.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
Carol & Al Gagnon
March 31, 2009
To the Family of Eben Elwell,
I was so sorry to hear of his passing. I am an Elwell and talked to him a few times on the phone and he was so helpful regarding Elwell genealogy. I,m also from Maine but live in Florida. Consoluations to all the family .
An Elwell cousin
Julie Elwell Groves
Julie Elwell Groves
March 30, 2009
Eben was an amazing man. He will be missed by all who knew him. His knowledge of history was incredible.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Kathy Elwell-Van Allen
March 29, 2009
Eben was a very interesting man, with whom to hold a conversation.
I am a member of Mayflower and have been amazed at the amount of history that he had memorized.
Jeanne Adamson-Sawtelle
March 29, 2009
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