Elmo Atwell

Hastings Funeral Home in Perry is in charge of arrangements for Elmo Paul Atwell 83, of Perry, Elmo died, Friday at the Perry Health Care. Visitation will be from 1:00 until 8:00 pm Monday at Hastings Funeral Home Services at 2:00 p. m. Tuesday at Hastings Funeral, the family will greet one hour before the services. Home in Perry. Burial will be in the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry. Elmo Paul Atwell, son of Alfred Madison and Gracie Mary Smith, was born August 6, 1928 in Mutual Oklahoma and died January 20, 2012 in the Perry, Iowa at the age of 83. Elmo grew up in Woodward, OK and graduated from Woodward High school in May 1946. He entered the Navy in November 1947 and served in Hawaii until June 1950 and then served in the Korean War until November 1951. The Navy put Elmo through training at Coyne Electrical School in Chicago and then sent him back for additional training later. Elmo and Bonnie Louise Davis were united in marriage on April 7, 1956 in Liberal KS. They had two children Glenn Douglas Atwell in December 1957 and Trudy Lavone Atwell in December 1959. Elmo worked for Rock Island Railroad and Southern Pacific Railroad for 31 years from 1960-1991 as telecommunions and two-way radio repairman. Elmo moved back to Woodward, OK to build several homes for his family and then in later years built homes for his children. He enjoyed camping and fishing. Elmo walked the Grand Canyon. Elmo was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Elmo is preceded in death by his parents, 17 siblings, and one granddaughter Shersa Louise Howell. Elmo is survived by his wife of almost 56 years Bonnie, his son Doug (Sherry) Atwell of Jamaica, IA; his daughter Trudy (Anthony) Howell of Lapeer, MI; and a brother Clarence Atwell of Guthrie, OK. Elmo is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Jeremiah (Tiffany) Atwell of Perry, IA; Joshua Atwell of Pella, IA; Sariah (Chris) Atwell-Brendeland of Ankeny, IA: Daniel Atwell of Idaho; Joseph Atwell of Pella, IA; Ethan Atwell of Jamaica, IA; Anthony Howell and Fiance Hope of Holley, MI; Rachel Howell of Provo, UT: Sariah, Benjamin, Aminah, Charity, and Ammon Howell all of Lapeer, MI; eight great-grandchildren: Samantha, Taylor, Kassidy, Hunter, and Alissa Atwell all of Perry, IA; Corbyn Atwell of Pella, IA; and Cayden and Callie Brendeland of Ankeny IA; and many nieces and nephews.