Larry A. McElfresh , age 86 and a native of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 3, 2021 at his home in Valparaiso following an extended illness.  He was born October 13, 1935 in Elwood, the son of Harold and Mary Louise (Weed) McElfresh.  Larry was a 1953 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School.  He married the love of his life, Beverly D. Day on August 21, 1954, and they shared over 67 years of marriage together and raising their large family.  Larry worked for Continental Can Corporation (later Crown-Cork & Seal) as an accounting cost clerk for 35 years.  He initially worked at the Elwood facility and later retired in 1988 from the Longview, Texas facility at the end of his career.

Larry and Bev were former members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood and current members of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Valparaiso.  Larry enjoyed staying active and enjoyed fixing and tinkering with all sorts of things, and he was known for restoring and collecting antique clocks.  He especially enjoyed woodworking and always took pride in caring for his home and property.  Larry enjoyed playing golf most of his life; was an avid Notre Dame sports fan; and was formerly active with the Boy Scouts program when his children were younger.  He also enjoyed feeding the birds in his backyard.  More than anything, Larry's family was the center of his life as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Larry's family legacy includes his wife, Beverly McElfresh of Valparaiso; 6 children, Lorri (Dave) Abel of Frankton, Nancy McElfresh of Ohio, Joni White of Valparaiso, Jennifer McElfresh of Westville, John (Susan) McElfresh of Scherervile, and Michael (Jeanine) McElfresh of Chesterton; 13 grandchildren, Jon (Sarah) Beeman, Beth Beeman, Chrystin (Jeremiah) Frantz, Chuck (Jess) White III, Christopher (Serena) White, Danielle (Doug) Adams, Katie Potter, Jessica McElfresh, Jeff (Yuqi) McElfresh, Mariel McElfresh, Allena McElfresh, Adeline McElfresh, and Mitch McElfresh; 11 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Jack, Kason, Aurora, Nova, Charlotte, Samara, Rhone, Delaney, Seth, and Holland; several nieces and nephews; and special Valparaiso neighbors, Dewey and Lori Cassoday and family.  Larry was preceded in death by both his parents; two brothers, Harold (and wife Joyce) McElfresh and James (and wife Kathy) McElfresh; son-in-law, Charles White; and grandson, David Potter.

A funeral service celebrating Larry's life and faith will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Father Dennis Goth of St. Joseph Church,  officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm prior to the funeral on Friday at Copher-Fesler-May.  Health precautions for the safety of the family and visitors are greatly appreciated.  Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Valparaiso or St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.