Thomas “Papaw” Elswick, 74, of Ironton, died Friday, May 22, 2009, at Fountainhead Nursing Home in Franklin Furnace. The Ironton native was born Oct. 6, 1934, the son of the late James and Isabelle Johnson Elswick.
Mr. Elswick attended school in Baltimore, Md., but has lived in this area since 1981. He was a member of the Eagle 2271 in New Boston; an honorary member of the Portsmouth Moose 762 and was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Tom “Rudy” Elswick Jr.; six brothers, Harrison, John, Jim, Joe, Fred and Bert Elswick; three sisters, Hazel Elswick, Tinnie Pancake and Wilma “Wig” Holland; and several nieces and nephews.
He is survived by four daughters, Nora Fay Levering of California, Mary Spaulding of Maryland, Debra Hillock of Bridgman, Mich., and Brenda Frazier of Franklin Furnace; a brother and sister-in-law, Ogle and Edna Elswick of South Bloomfield; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces or nephews.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hayes Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. Jeff Cremeans officiating. Burial will follow in Junior Furnace Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.