Elwyn Karau

Elwyn E. Karau, lifetime resident of Kewanee until 2010, currently lived in North Carolina to be close to and enjoy his family.

Elwyn was born on November 22, 1923 to E. Louis and Edna (Blaine) Karau.  He attended Kewanee Public Schools and graduated from Kewanee High School in 1941.  Elwyn also attended Kewanee Business College.

During World War II, he proudly served his country in the Merchant Marines and was a graduate of the U.S. Maritime Academy in New London, Conn. with a commission as a Marine Engineer.  He served in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.  He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Elwyn worked in various auto dealerships as Parts and Service Managers, and was active in the Tri-County area Parts and Service Managers Clubs.  He retired January 1, 1985, and enjoyed many years of traveling and helping friends and family in the community.

He was married to Ada Litton in December of 1950.  She passed away in January of 1976.  A daughter, Kathleen (Gordon) Butler, survives with two granddaughters, Kelsey (Ben) Moore and Lindsay (Nick) Dentel, and six great grandchildren, Tucker, Reagan, and Sawyer Moore, and Eden, Anna, and Salem Dentel.

He was married to Mildred Greiert in September of 1980. She passed away in September of 2010.  Also surviving are a stepson, Paul (Barbara) Greiert, and a step-daughter, Linda (Al) Almanza: three grandchildren, Kyle (Heather) Greiert, Lara (Connor) Driscoll, and Pamela (Paul) Savich, and two great grandchildren, Ben and Alex Savich.

Elwyn was preceded in death by his three brothers; Donald Karau, Sr., Dean Karau who was killed in World WarII, and Ralph Karau.

Several nieces and nephews survive.

Elwyn was a lifetime member of St. Peter's Evangelical Church where he served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Elder at various times. He was also a lifetime member of the V.F.W., and served as a member of the board and treasurer at the Whiting Home.

Services will be held at Rux Funeral Home and Pastor Robert Curry will officiate. Services will take place at a later date and military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter's Church Shepherd’s Fund, 119 S. Grove St., Kewanee, Illinois 61443 or your local humane society.