On March 2, 2018 Van Allen McElvain died from complications of the West Nile Virus. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family after a courageous two and half year battle with the disease.
Born May 3, 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri to George (Van) McElvain and Peggy (Heafley) McElvain he attended school in the Kansas City area, graduating from Shawnee Mission South High School in 1973, where he was class president.
Music was an important part of Van's life from the very beginning. He began playing guitar at age nine. It was soon evident that he possessed great musical talent. After several years of playing in bands with people much older than him, Van co-founded Shooting Star in 1977.
In 1979 they released their first album. As the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, producer and one of the main songwriter in Shooting Star Van was able to travel the world. Just as he did in Kansas City, Van touched many people's lives through his music.
In addition to being the main force in Shooting Star, Van was also the owner of Van McElvain Construction Co. as well as a home builder, land developer and a Realtor for Berkshire Hathaway.
Careers were not what mattered most to Van, however. Thirty-nine years ago he married his high school sweetheart Onalisa and together they started a family. Van was a proud father of two boys, Sean and Alex. He took time from his busy life to coach both boys baseball teams. When the boys were growing up Van never missed a sporting event or school function. Van and Onalisa loved to travel and together they enjoyed many wonderful family vacations.
A lifelong sports fan, Van loved the Kansas City Royals, KU basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs. He had Chief's season tickets for many years.
Those who knew Van were always impressed with his love of life and his positive attitude, even when faced with grave challenges. Van overcame many health issues in his life including esophageal cancer. Van never gave up. His positive attitude and his faith in Jesus Christ helped guide him until the very end.
Van is an inspiration to all who knew him, and those who were touched by his music. He was a loyal friend and a passionate leader. Throughout his entire life he was known for his smile, his laugh and his great sense of humor. He was a friend to many and a kind man with a huge heart.
Van was preceded in death by his Dad, George Van dyke McElvain. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Onalisa J. McElvain, his sons Sean and Alex McElvain, his Mom Peggy McElvain Morrow, brother Craig (Laurel) McElvain, sister Lesa (Matt) Sander, nephews Scott (Nicole) McElvain, Cory McElvain, Kevin (Allyson ) McElvain, Hunter Moffatt, his aunts, cousins and many friends and Shooting Star Maniacs.
There will be a memorial service at Colonial Presbyterian Church at 1pm, Saturday, March 10, located at 12501 W. 137th St. Overland Park, KS 66221
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals - Lincoln Campus Rehabilitation center in Lincoln, Nebraska. They can be contacted via their website at https://www.madonna.org/
The family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.
