Jacob A. McElwain

On September 7th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family and friends, Jacob Andrew McElwain, 23, of Washington, Missouri peacefully passed away in Springfield, Missouri.

Jacob or “JMac” as he was so affectionately referred to by many, was born on May 16th, 2001, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the middle son of three children born to Andrew McElwain III and Jennifer McElwain of Washington, Missouri.

Jacob grew up in Washington, Missouri attending Our Lady of Lourdes Grade School and Parish.  After grade school, Jacob would become a “well-known and active” student at St Francis Borgia Regional High School, where he would graduate in 2019.  Continuing his love for education, he attended Missouri State University where he successfully graduated in May of 2024, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  In July of 2024, Jacob, along with a group of best friends, had just moved to Kansas City, Missouri to begin his grown-up life. 

Through the years, Jacob’s passion for life would touch all who knew him, he was truly the epitome of a good time! He was a beacon of light and joy for everyone, and never had met a stranger.  He was an amazing person, genuine, loyal and caring and had a smile and laugh that could light up a room, and was a friend to all.    

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Joyce Francois and grandfather, Andrew McElwain.

Jacob is survived by his parents, Andrew and Jennifer McElwain of Washington; two siblings, Michael and Emma McElwain also of Washington; maternal grandfather, Tom Francois and wife Sharon of Mount Vernon, IL; paternal grandmother, Carolyn McElwain of St. Genevieve, MO; aunts and uncles, TJ Francois of Springfield, MO, Michael McElwain of Farmington, and Laura Goodwin and husband Mike of Newport, Delaware; cousins, Abbigale Francois and partner Sara Latham of Little Rock, AR, Gage Miers and wife Ashlee of Marshfield, MO, Matthew Francois of Springfield, MO, and Ruby and Michael Goodwin of Newport, DE. He is also survived by and considered to be a brother to a band of many, many friends who he has always considered as family.

For Jake, if the only measure of a human's life was time, it would seem short, but when measured in memorable moments and love, Jake’s life would have been infinite.  He packed so much life into his 23 years and will be missed by many.

A visitation will be held for Jacob on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 4-8 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Memorial Mass will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Interment will be private.  Also on Friday, A Celebration of Life will be held for all who loved him at the Washington Knights of Columbus Hall starting at 5pm. 

Memorial donations can be made to the Jacob McElwain Memorial Fund.

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