Louis D. Elbert's Obituary
Louis Darrell Elbert passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at St. Mary’s Manor, Cherry Hill, NJ. Age 86. Beloved husband of 58 years to Gail (nee Hartnett). Loving father of Kevin (Carol), Denise, Linda, Michelle (Steven) Latch and Bridget (Edward) Bray. Enthusiastic grandfather of Brian, Sarah, Delaney, Christopher, Patrick, Daniel and Sean.
Lou was born on May 9, 1931 in Whittemore, IA, the son of Frank and Mary (Hayes) Elbert. He was extraordinarily proud of his native Iowan heritage and instilled that pride in his children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his three brothers (Cletus, Virgil, Wayne) and three sisters (Marcella, Mary, Anita). He is beloved by the many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews spread across the country from Maryland out to California, Minnesota down to Texas, and even Alaska and Hawaii.
Lou attended St. Michael’s Presentation Academy where he played basketball and excelled in oratory skills. At age 16, he left Iowa for theological studies at Divine Heart Seminary in Donaldson, IN and continued his spiritual pursuits at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corner, WI.
Lou joined the United States Navy in 1955 and after completing training at Naval Station Great Lakes he was stationed in Norfolk, VA. The highlight of his naval career was working with the distinguished Admiral Grace Hopper during the early development of the COBOL programming language.
In 1958, Lou was transferred to Philadelphia Naval Aviation Supply Depot, where he met Gail Hartnett, a civilian naval employee. Lou and Gail quickly fell in love and were married on September 8, 1959 on her twenty-first birthday. They moved to Cherry Hill, NJ after the birth of their first child and resided in Cherry Hill for 55 years (minus the three month “there and back” relocation to West Palm Beach, FL with two toddlers and an infant.) Lou and Gail joined the Colwick Civic Association and Woodbine Swim Club and made life-long friends.
Lou left the Navy to pursue positions in information systems development at UNIVAC and RCA. Lou became a Senior Business Consultant in the Home Office Information Services Division at General Accident Insurance in Philadelphia where he was recognized in their international corporate publication for his exemplary integrity and dedication as a model of the corporate values in action. After retirement, he enjoyed attending the GAFLAC luncheons with his former colleagues.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lou’s Life Celebration and viewing Monday evening 7 to 9 p.m. at Givnish of Maple Shade 600 E Main Street. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church 43 W Maple Ave. Merchantville. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, with Military Honors.
Family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mr. Elbert’s memory to Larc School, 1089 Creek Rd. Bellmawr, 08031 (www.larcschool.com)
To share your memories of Lou, please visit www.givnish.com
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