Title	Mr.
Last Name	Sawtelle
First Name	Elmer
Middle Name	Carl
Maiden Name
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Corinna, ME
Date of Birth
Place of Death	Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Date of Death	2019/05/28
Publication	Eastern Gazette 6/7-13, 2019 p8
Obituary	Elmer Carl Sawtelle, 87, passed away on May 28,2019 at Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft. He was born in Corinna, a son of Earl Shepley and Agnes Pauline "Louise" (Bates) Sawtelle. His home has always been in Dexter and he went to Dexter schools, graduating from N. H. Fay High School, Class of 1950. Elmer spent 4 years serving his country in the U. S. Navy. He served aboard the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Shangri La CV- 38 and aboard the U.S.S. Lexington CVA-16, where he was a plank owner. Launching planes with steam catapults was a new thing. His last assignment was with the 7th fleet in the Taiwan Strait (Formosa) off the southeastern coast of China. This was in the period between the Korean War and the Vietnam War. "Things were a bit testy out there and Chinese planes were keeping tabs on us." When Elmer was young he worked on the family farm and in the woods with his father and older brother. When he left the Navy, he came home to support his folks as his father had been severely injured in a woods accident. As a farm kid, he learned to do many tasks such as mechanics and carpenter work. He held several jobs such as doing wood work in the old Dexter shoe building and worked with the crew building the new building. Elmer was a finish carpenter who took pride in doing a fine job. He built his own home of which he was very proud. In December, 1999, he was building a house when he was stricken with Guillain-Barre syndrome. One day he was fine, the next, completely paralyzed. The next 8 months were spent in the hospital. This changed his life forever and he never fully recovered. For a man who was used to doing everything and suddenly unable to do most things, it was horrible. He has been strong and kept trying to work even when he could barely breathe. Passing before him were his parents; a daughter; sisters, Mildred L (Sawtelle) Carson, Beverly Jean (Sawtelle) Edgerly; a brother George Wayne Sawtelle; and a brother-in-law Robert L. Edgerly. Elmer is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeanne E. (Adamson) Sawtelle; his daughter Kimberly J. Sawtelle and husband David K. Moore; 2 sons, David A. Sawtelle and Carolyn Derr, Brian E. Sawtelle and wife Tracey A. Rhatigan-Sawtelle; 2 grandchildren Nicholas S. Sawtelle and Sarah E. K. Sawtelle. Elmer is survived by the family of Beverly Jean Edgerly, Beverly L. (Edgerly) and Everett Wooster, Stephen and Lorrie (Webb) Edgerly, Roger and Diane (Bezanson) Edgerly and their families. He is also survived by the family of his late brother, George Wayne Sawtelle and numerous other friends and family, especially his cousin Clyde G. and wife Marie Crowell; and the family of Mildred L. (Sawtelle) Carson. A family graveside committal service will be held at Crocker Cemetery, St. Albans Memorial. Donations may be made to the GBS/CIDP Foundation International. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Dexter. Those who wish may leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com