John Charles Elwell

John Charles Elwell was born October 17, 1945 in Vinita, Oklahoma to John George Elwell and Allene Woolard Elwell. He passed from this life in to the next on April 26, 2015 at St John's Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

After graduating from Tulsa Central High School, he immediately enlisted in the US Army and served his country honorably. Following his discharge, he worked as a printer at sand springs leader and there he met his wife Vonda Bill Elwell in June, 1967 and they were married October 6, 1967.

He later went to work at the newspaper Printing Corporation and went on to co-edit, with his wife, the Methow Valley News in Twisp, Washington.

Upon returning to Sand Springs, John became a machinist for Sperry Vickers. He spent most of the latter part of his work career as the shipping coordinator at Webco Industries. John filled his retirement years serving his community. He was an active member of the Sand Springs Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and had been President of VIPS program for several years. He served on the park board and any city committee that needed him and was still serving at the time of his death.

He has been awarded the VIPS Of The Year, and received the Paul Harris award, but was most proud of winning the Chili Cook-Off. John attended almost every city council meeting with both Karen Keith and Don Newberry, breakfast meetings, golf and fishing tournaments and ribbon cuttings.

John was preceded in death by his parents and one grand daughter Peyton Jones. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, his brother Tom Elwell, brother and sister in law Raymond and Marsha Bill, Jay and Cindy Bill, two children Stacey Ward and her fianc Brent Jones and son John George Elwell II, eight grandchildren, CJ and Justen Ward, Vincent and Ali Elwell, Kyle Jefferson and Brenten Jones and he had a special bond with each of them.

John will be missed by all who knew him.