Elmer L. Littrell

Elmer L. Littrell, 84, of Lampasas, TX, formerly of Mascoutah, IL, born Aug. 23, 1923 in Hunter, MO, died Jan. 21, 2008 at his residence in Lampasas Co., from complications of Renal Cell Carcinoma.


Mr. Littrell was a retired heavy equipment operator from International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 520 of Granite City, IL, having worked with the union over 35 years. Twenty-two of those years were with Kilian Corporation of Mascoutah, IL. He also farmed in the Shiloh Valley Township of St. Clair County, IL for a number of years. He was a member of the St. Clair Co. Farm Bureau for a number of years, until he moved to Texas in 1980. He is currently a member of Lampasas County Farm Bureau. He loved talking about farming with mules when he was a boy.


Elmer served in the United States Army Air Corp, as an Armor gunner, on Mitchell B-25s in the Pacific during World War II, witnessing the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. He enjoyed history, and recounting the war during annual squadron reunions. He earned numerous medals while in the service, including Bronze Stars, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Good Conduct, World War II Victory medal, Carbine, and the Honorable Service Award.


Hobbies included woodworking, art, gardening, reading, country western music, big band era music and cooking (especially baking cookies and cinnamon rolls). In his younger days, he won a blue ribbon at the St. Clair County Fair on his chocolate cake. He could make the best “Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot Roast and/or Stew”. He strived for perfection in everything he did. He was a member of the Methodist Church, until recently when he moved to Lampasas, when he became a member of First Presbyterian Church.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Turley and Selina Marie, nee Harding, Littrell; his former spouse and mother of his children, Patsy Ann, nee Turman, Schrage; three brothers, Lloyd, Enos, and Harry “Hap” Littrell, four sisters, Vesta in infancy, Marguerite Siebert, Louise Herges, Ruth “Sis” Moore, a sister-in-law, Mary Littrell, brothers-in-law, Wilson Moore and Clyde Burgard, a niece, Deborah Burgard Dingledine, a great-niece, Lindy Thompson, and a great great-niece, Brooke Dudley.


He is survived by his wife, Joanna Pauline “Polly”, nee Nuckles, Littrell, whom he married April 20, 1983 in San Marcos, TX; three children, Robert (Lori) Littrell of Belleville, IL, Betty (Clyde) Crouse of Vancouver, WA, and Steve (Cassandra) Littrell of St. Charles, MO; nine grandchildren, Amanda (Crispian) O’Campo of Terrell, TX, Janice Littrell, and Robert J. Littrell Jr. of Terrell, TX, Rebecca Crouse of Bellingham, WA, Megan (Luke) Poysnick of Kirkland, WA, Matthew Crouse of Portland, OR, Joshua Littrell, serving in the USAF in the middle east, Joey Littrell and Jacob Littrell of St. Charles, MO; one great-grandson, James O’Campo of Terrell, TX; and a sister, Julia Burgard of Mascoutah, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews, great, and great-great nieces and nephews.


Memorials may be made to the charity of choice.


Visitation: friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL.


Funeral: Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2008 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL with Chaplain Randolph McHone officiating. Burial will be in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.