Jack Elam

PAPPY'S OBITUARY Jackie Cougen Elam (affectionately known as "Pappy"), 81, passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2012. He was a resident of Lebanon, IN and Sarasota, FL. Jack was born at home in Tiptop, KY on June 22, 1930 to the late Benjamin Franklin and Lona (Howard) Elam. He was the third of five children. During the 1940s, Jack's family relocated to Knox, Indiana. At the age of 14, he met Nelda Jean Popplewell. Little did they know when they began dating at age 17, theirs would be a life-long love story. On September 25, 1949, they were married and their first child, Jack, was born 11 months later. Two more children, Robin and Rollie, completed their family. In December 1947, Jack entered the Marine Corps and was called to active duty in Korea in July 1951 as a private first class. He received a purple heart and was honorably discharged after injury. After his wartime service, Jack worked for US Steel, where he stayed for 12 years. He dabbled in various other ventures including truck driving, part-time farming, and airplane advertisement. Jack and Jean founded "Elam Miniature Cattails" in 1952. Jack cut cattails every summer for 50 years. Processing cattails became a way of life for the entire family through four generations. After his 'retirement' at the age of 37, he and Jean became regular "snowbirds" and spent their winters in Florida. Jack loved auctions, fishing, growing watermelons, flying and his grandkids. He will be remembered as a fun, loyal, story-telling, hard-working, family-loving daredevil. His 21 year-long battle with cancer only proved his fighting spirit and the devotedness of his sweetheart, Jean. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Nelda Jean (Popplewell); his children - Jack (Gayl), Robin (Randy) and Rollie (Bonnie); his grandchildren - Michael (Beth), Brandon (Jennifer), Ryan (Amy), Rachel (Jake), Shae (Rob), Clinton (Sara), and Shayna (Steve); his great-grandchildren - Parker, Isabella, Madison, Bryce, Garrett, Pierce, Ashley, Elise, Addison, Madeline, Prade, Jett, Trey, Lyric and one on the way. He is also survived by two of his brothers, Joseph and William. Jack is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Charles and Kay. A service celebrating Jack's life will be held at the College Park Church Ministry Center, 3600 W 96th St. Indianapolis, IN, 46268 on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 1 pm with visitation from 11am to 1 pm; burial will follow at Salem Cemetery, Zionsville IN. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Zionsville, IN You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan