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 </figure>Donald (Don) Vernon Ellis, Belgrade, formerly of Rozel, Kansas passed
 away on December 20, 2019.&nbsp; He was born on March 4, 1936 at Nekoma, 
Kansas to Harry and Beulah Ellis.&nbsp; He was raised on a farm north of 
Rozel.&nbsp; Don attended a one room school house for the first six years, 
graduating from Rozel High School in May, 1953.&nbsp; In August, 1954, Don 
enlisted in the US Army, serving during the Korean War.&nbsp; Don was 
Honorably Discharged in 1956 with the rank of Corporal.Don married Carol Willis in LaCrosse, Kansas, on May 28, 1957.&nbsp; Carol passed away on January 14, 2014.Don was a retired truck driver.&nbsp; 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. &nbsp;He was a volunteer at Habitat for Humanity for four (4) years.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;His passion has always been hunting, camping and fishing.&nbsp; In the fall 
of 2019, at the age of 83, Don went for his last antelope hunt, killing 
two.&nbsp; Once again, he got in that last hunt that he never thought he 
would get to do.&nbsp; He was a Lifetime Member of the American Legion Post 
#106 in Larned, Kansas, serving several terms as the Post Commander.&nbsp;Don and Carol followed their lifelong dream of living in the 
mountains when they moved to Missoula, Montana in 1984.&nbsp; They lived in 
Missoula before moving to Belgrade, Montana to be closer to their 
daughter after Carol suffered a stroke.&nbsp; Don has resided in Belgrade, 
Montana, since October 2007.Don is survived by his children, Don Jr. (Susan) – Youngsville, LA, 
Susie – Lake Charles, LA, LeAnna – Pawnee Rock, Kansas and Stacey 
(Scott) – Belgrade, MT.&nbsp; He has 7 grandchildren, Stephen (Dawn) Ellis, 
Shannon Ellis, Grant (Shannon) Unruh, Odie (Nicole) Unruh, Marci 
(Chance) Maes, Marcus Allen and Sadie Glaude.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Don is also survived by 2 special friends that he has 
always thought of as his own kids, Tommy and Kathy Fitch.&nbsp; Don is 
survived by a brother, Harry (Carolyn, Bozeman, Montana as well as two 
sisters, Judi Welch, Larned, Kansas and Sharilyn (Frank) Reifschneider, 
Wichita, Kansas, as well as his Brother-in-law Bob (Sue) Willis, 
Cookeville, Tennessee.&nbsp; 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 held on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 1:00 
p.m. at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with Gene Price presiding.&nbsp; Visitation 
will be 9:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. Thursday January 2, 2020 with Family 
present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.&nbsp; Military graveside rights to follow
 service with a reception at the VFW in Larned.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 
Personal condolences may be left at <a href="http://www.beckwithmortuary.com">www.beckwithmortuary.com</a>.