Elva Mae Harton entered eternal life on March 11, 2021, at age 96. Daughter of Grant and Flora Beth Timney Gleyre, Elva was born on August 13, 1924, in La Veta, Colorado, their first child. Elva’s Mom died when she was only 2. In her early years, Elva attended church with a friend, being baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Trinidad, Colorado. She attended South High School in Denver, from which she graduated in 1942.
As a young woman, Elva met her husband, James Carter Harton, at a football game at the University of Denver. At the time Jim was serving as an airman in WW2. Jim and Elva were married on January 19, 1944. Jim died in 1998. She loved airplanes and trains her whole life.
In 1949, Jim, Elva, and their oldest son James Jr. moved to Park Forest, where Elva lived the rest of her life. She was a proud charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she also served as president of the Trinity Women’s ministry and Sunday School. She also served on the human relations commission of Park Forest, was involved in scouting, and worked for many years, into her 80s with Operation Able. She celebrated her 84th birthday by skydiving. Elva was proud of her accomplishments.
Elva loved church from her early years on, and she always rooted for the Cubs, even after her husband told her she’d have to be a White Sox fan since they were living on the south side. She will be remembered for her grit, independence, and determination.
Elva leaves to mourn her loss and celebrate her life her daughter, Beth (Bud) McKinney, and two sons, James Jr. (Mary) and Robert (Marianne); 9 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by parents Grant and Flora, stepmother Esther, husband
A private graveside service was held at Homewood Memorial Gardens South Cemetery.