Berlyn Edgar McElwee, 91, of Bridgewater, Virginia, formerly of Hot Springs, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the Bridgewater Village Wellness House.

He was born March 10, 1927 in Bath County, Virginia, the son of the late Edgar William McElwee and Eva Gladys Gibson McElwee.

Mr. McElwee retired as a Grounds Superintendent from the Virginia Hot Springs Company Incorporated with over 50 years of service.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, having served during World War II.

Mr. McElwee was a member of Eden United Methodist Church in Hot Springs and attended the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren after moving to the Bridgewater Village in 2008. He was one of the founding members of the Edenaires and a former member of the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.

Mr. McElwee is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ethel Frances Lowry McElwee, whom he married on December 20, 1946; two children, Berlyn Edgar "Eddie" McElwee, Jr. of Chesterfield, Virginia, Joyce Grove and husband, Sidney of Bridgewater; three grandchildren, Brad Grove and wife, Denise, Kelly Herron and husband, Scott, Katie Swartzendruber and husband, Steve, all of Bridgewater; seven great grandchildren: Zach, Brady and Paisley Grove, Camden and Briton Herron, Noah and Lane Swartzendruber, all of Bridgewater.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home with Pastor Lorrie Aikens officiating. Interment will be in Warm Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Winifred Smith, Keith McElwee, Gary Ratcliff, Brad Grove, Scott Herron, Steve Swartzendruber, Greg Adkins and Ledford Carpenter. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Jones, Ronnie Keyser, Harold Wainwright, Gary Smith, Elwood Smith, Larry Smith, Terry Smith and Gene Carpenter.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial service will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday evening June 21, 2018 at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren in Bridgewater.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bridgewater Village, 302 North 2nd Street, Bridgewater, Virginia 22812-1712.

The McLaughlin & Young Funeral Home, Hot Springs, is in charge of arrangements.