Elwyn Ellis Mehlman's Obituary
Elwyn Ellis Mehlman, 83, of Avon Lake, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2022, with his wife Diane holding his hand. Elwyn was born in Bellaire, Ohio, on August 17, 1939, to the late Frederick George and Mary Monica (nee Unitas) Mehlman. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 64 years, Susan Diane (nee DoJack) Mehlman. He was the loving father of Amy (Dan) Cober, Stacey Gepperth and Deidre (Jay) Valadez, as well as son-in-law Mark Gepperth. Elwyn will be missed by his grandchildren, Kristen, Katie, Kelsey, Ben, Chris, Sam, Dallas, Jake and Jesse, and great-grandchildren, Bret, Stella, Devon, Harlan, Bradan, Drake, Kennedy, Denver and Dakota, and great great-grandchild Mila. He will be missed by his sister Elsie Wise and he was preceded in death by his brother, Fred Jay “Gus” Mehlman. He was loved by his nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Elwyn was raised on his family’s farm, Wheeling View Dairy. They grew about every fruit, vegetable, and flower imaginable, selling their produce at the Wheeling Market House every Saturday. His father saw his love for animals as he often brought them home for Elwyn to care for. His mother was his hero. He watched her work hard to begin Mehlman’s Cafeteria in St. Clairsville, Ohio. His mother recognized Elwyn’s art talent at an early age and made great sacrifices to send him to art classes at Oglebay Institute.
When Elwyn was in high school he saw Diane sitting on a park bench in front of their school and instantly knew he had to ask a friend to introduce him. As they cruised in his ’39 Olds drinking root beer floats, he knew he was in love.
When Elwyn and Diane got married, they won a 1953 Plymouth at the Drive-in Theater, filled it up with their belongings, and headed to Cleveland. It was here that they planted their roots and raised their three daughters.
He enjoyed a long illustrious career as an incredibly talented illustrator and was awarded numerous national and local art advertising awards. In 1986, he began Elementz Surf Shop in the Flats East Bank and eventually opened additional locations in the Powerhouse and Tower City. After finding success with Elementz, he opened E-Street, a streetwear clothing store at Tower City. The stores featured his original Cleveland designed t-shirts and hard-to-find California clothing. He was an admired leader who saw employees as family, some of whom still reach out today to express how he impacted their life.
Elwyn was affectionately known to his friends and loved ones as “E”. He enjoyed so many special friends along the way…in the 70s, playing handball at the Downtown YMCA; in the 80s, boating at Edgewater Yacht Club; in the 90s, playing beach volleyball. Later in his life, he loved golfing and playing cards with his dear friends in the Bay Men’s Club, St. Raphael Golf League, and Bob-O-Link Course.
He treasured his family and friends above all else. "E" was an absolute joy to know and be around. He had an optimistic view of life, found joy in each moment, and never missed an opportunity to make someone smile. Elwyn’s presence will be dearly missed and his memory forever treasured.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ames Family Hospice at www.hospicewr.org, The Gathering Place West at www.touchedbycancer.org, or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org/myeloma-link.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Sunset Chapel, 6245 Columbia Rd., North Olmsted, Ohio, 44070, where a Memorial Service will take place at 1:30 PM. Inurnment will take place following at Sunset Memorial Park, at 6265 Columbia Rd., North Olmsted, Ohio, 44070. Memories and condolences can be left on Elwyn’s memorial page at www.sunsetfuneralandcemetery.com.
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