George Raymond Elgin of Fort Myers, Florida, formerly of Hamilton, Illinois, died Thursday, April 11, 2024 in the care of Hope Hospice. George was born December 29, 1932 in Keokuk, Iowa to Carl Henry and Mildred Olive (Smith) Elgin.
George served in the United States Army (7th Army HQ as a Draftsman) having earned the National Defense Service Medal, Army of Occupation (Germany) Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Attending Burlington Junior College, Iowa State University and Iowa University, he studied science, mathematics, and engineering. Early in his career, George worked for Hoerner Box and Schmidt Memorial Home. George retired from J.C. Hubinger Brothers Co. in Keokuk, IA as a lab technician and boiler supervisor.
An avid numismatist, George collected all varieties of rare and antiquarian coins, particularly United States and British North American coin and currency. George’s collection spanned from antiquity to modern times, and he could often tell you just as much about when and where he got a coin as the coin itself. He was a lifelong member of the Keokuk Coin Club.
George was a skilled marksmen and competitive trapshooter. Even through his sixties into his seventies he participated in regional shooting competitions, winning Senior National Championships in trapshooting. George was a lifetime member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association and the National Rifle Association, as well as a long-time member of the Montrose Gun Club. He also enjoyed collecting vintage Swiss shooting medals and thalers.
“Uncle George” will be missed dearly by his loving family: Brother John (Marilyn) Elgin, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, nieces Carol Morin, of San Antonio, Texas and Cheryl (Ken) Gelbaugh of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, nephew Douglas (Missy) Elgin, of Fort Myers, Florida, grand-nieces and nephews Scott (Tanielle) Gelbaugh, Gwen (Keith) Adams, JC Elgin, Kimberly (Travis) Scoby, Marshall Elgin, Amber (Esequiel) Morin, Stephany Elgin and Nicholas Morin; and great-grand nieces and nephews Alex, Hayden, Evan, Luke, Emillie, Brooke, John Silas, Eliseo, and John Henry. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his sister Nancy Elgin Sparks.
The family will have a private memorial. Interment will take place in the Keokuk National Cemetery with Military Honors. Contributions in George’s memory may be made to Hamilton Senior Citizens Center, 1680 Keokuk St. Hamilton, IL 62341.
The Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.
