Russell P. McElwain, 86, of Kittanning died Thursday.

Born March 30, 1922, in Valley Township, he was the son of Robert McElwain and Ethel McElwain.

He was a World War II Army veteran, was the owner/operator of Russ McElwain Water Well Drilling and had been a coal miner. He was a member of the Pleasant Union Lutheran Church and the American Legion Cosgrove Post 238.

Surviving are a son, William R. McElwain of Saltsburg; two daughters, Cindy Lamison of Kittanning and Carole Tonkin of Creekside; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

His wife, Ida Christina (Painter) McElwain died in 2005. He also was preceded in death by a twin brother and a daughter.

<B>McELWAIN</B> — Friends of Russell P. McElwain, who died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Carson/Boyer Funeral Home</B>, Rural Valley, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday. Burial will be at the Harkleroad Cemetery.