Sgt. Thomas Harry "Tom" Elkin

Another Marine reporting, Sir! USMC Sergeant Thomas "Tom" Harry Elkin, 34, of Delancey, sadly passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015.
Thomas was born June 15, 1981, in Washington, Indiana, a son of Thomas Charles and Peggy Lynne Bales Elkin. They both survive and reside in Delancey.
On Sept. 24, 2014, he married Matthew Aaron Strait. He survives and resides in Delancey.
Sergeant Elkin proudly and faithfully served his country as an Intelligence Analyst in the United States Marine Corps. Sgt Elkin served during the Iraq/Afghanistan war ... Duty, Honor, Country!
Following his military service, Thomas worked for "Yankee Candle" before landing the job of a lifetime as a Field Project Supervisor for Walmart Stores Inc., where he traveled extensively throughout the U.S.
Thomas was very articulate and creative and always had a smile on his face and the work ethic to match his wonderful persona. When not working, he enjoyed watching movies, technology, and sleeping. But most of all, he cherished spending time with his husband, Matthew, whom he loved dearly.
Thomas was a member of the Lakeside United Methodist Church and the American Legion, Post 73 of Vincennes, Ind.
Sergeant Elkin, you served your country selflessly. "Semper Fidelis," Marine! We will miss you!
Besides his husband, Matthew Strait-Elkin, Thomas is survived by his mother and father, Peggy and Thomas Elkin of Delancey; two sisters, Katie Marie Elkin-Meadow and her husband Peter and Jenni Lynn Elkin-Villon and her wife Vanessa of Hawaii. Thomas is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, Judith Becker of Lancaster and Mark Strait Jr., of McConnellsburg; and his brothers-in-law: Aaron and Philip Strait of McConnellsburg, Christopher Strait of Lancaster, and Hunter VanDoren, also of Lancaster; and a niece and nephew, Mackenzie Meadow and William Meadow of Australia, respectively.
Friends and family will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., of Punxsutawney. Sgt Elkin will be interred at the Arlington National Cemetery, Va.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial donations be made in Sgt Elkin's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project or Marine "Toys for Tots" www.toysfortots.org.
Online condolences can be made at www.shumakerfh.com.