Ret. Major James A. Elbel

Ret. Major James Alvin “Jim” Elbel, 88, of Grants Pass, died Thursday, February 15, 2007 at his home.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Hull & Hull Chapel. Internment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Jim was born November 27, 1918 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to John Irvin Elbel and Mary Elizabeth Kuntz Elbel. After graduating from high school in Youngstown, Ohio, he joined the U.S. Army in 1941. During World War II, while stationed in Europe, he met and married his wife, Mary Greta Colemen from Swanage, England. He was a military veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam periods, retiring as a Major in 1962. After retiring from the military, he worked as an appraiser in California and Oregon. He moved from Yucaipa California to Grants Pass in 1972. He was elected Josephine County Assessor from 1981 to 1986.

He was a member of Elks Lodge and supported the local Republican Party.

His hobbies included gardening and woodworking.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Elbel; daughter, Susan Caster; son, James Arthur Elbel, all of Grants Pass; sister, Alice Biggs of Kansas; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Elbel.