LARNED — Donald (Don) Vernon Ellis, Belgrade, Mont., formerly of Rozel, Kan., passed away on Dec. 20, 2019. He was born on March 4, 1936 at Nekoma, Kan., to Harry and Beulah Ellis.
He was raised on a farm north of Rozel. Don attended a one-room school house for the first six years, graduating from Rozel High School in May 1953. In August 1954, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. Don was honorably discharged in 1956 with the rank of corporal.
Don married Carol Willis on May 28, 1957 in LaCrosse, Kan. Carol passed away on Jan. 14, 2014.
Don was a retired truck driver. He served many rolls throughout his life. He was a farmer with his dad, a custom harvester, a father, a grandfather and the roll he cherished the most was a loving husband to Carol.
He was a volunteer at Habitat for Humanity for four years. His passion has always been hunting, camping and fishing. In the fall of 2019, at the age of 83, Don went for his last antelope hunt, killing two. Once again, he got in that last hunt that he never thought he would get to do. He was a Lifetime Member of the American Legion Post #106 in Larned, Kan., serving several terms as the Post Commander.
Don and Carol followed their lifelong dream of living in the mountains when they moved to Missoula, Montana in 1984. They lived in Missoula before moving to Belgrade, Montana to be closer to their daughter after Carol suffered a stroke. Don has resided in Belgrade, Mont., since October 2007.
Don is survived by his children, Don Jr. (Susan) – Youngsville, La., Susie – Lake Charles, La., LeAnna – Pawnee Rock, Kan., and Stacey (Scott) – Belgrade, Mont. He has seven grandchildren, Stephen (Dawn) Ellis, Shannon Ellis, Grant (Shannon) Unruh, Odie (Nicole) Unruh, Marci (Chance) Maes, Marcus Allen and Sadie Glaude. He has 11 great-grandchildren, Madeline, Emily, Beau and Henry Ellis, Hailey and Gage Peterson, Brogan, Tristian and Ellis Unruh and Dahvon Pierce, Allen and Zayden Groff.
Don is also survived by 2 special friends that he has always thought of as his own kids, Tommy and Kathy Fitch. Don is survived by a brother, Harry (Carolyn, Bozeman, Mont., as well as two sisters, Judi Welch, Larned, Kan., and Sharilyn (Frank) Reifschneider, Wichita, Kan., as well as his brother-in-law Bob (Sue) Willis, Cookeville, Tenn. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, parents, Harry and Beulah Ellis, in-laws, Harry Willis and Janet Smith, brothers, Leroy, Larry and Ed; brother-in-law Lynn Welch as well as sisters-in laws Donna Claney, Tiney Tharpe and Anna Johns.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with Gene Price presiding.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Military graveside rights to follow service with a reception at the VFW in Larned.
Memorials may be made to Don Ellis Memorial Fund, Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550 or to the American Legion Auxiliary, Walter S. Chears Post 106.
Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.