Obituary of Vernon Ellsworth

Coffeyville - Vernon Ellsworth, 78, of Winfield, KS formerly of Coffeyville and Parsons, passed away Monday, June 16, 2008 at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield. He was born February 18, 1930 in Newalla, OK, to Lee and Jewell Virginia (Page) Ellsworth. He grew up in the Newalla area where he attended school. He moved with his family to Oswego, KS. On September 27, 1950 he married Marjorie Lee Chenoweth at Parsons, Kansas. They were later divorced in 1977. Vernon was employed by Kansas Power and Light in Parsons until joining the U.S. Army in January 1952 serving during the Korean War as a army medic. In the fall of 1952 he received head wounds while treating wounded soldiers. He was honorably discharged in October 1953. Vernon received the Bronze Star for his service, and in May of 2001, after 49 years he was awarded the Purple Heart for his injury, after member of his battalion wrote letters to Army personnel to see that he was properly honored. Following his discharge and recovery Vernon was employed as plant manager for Union LP Gas System until retiring in the 1970's. While with Union Gas the family lived in Edna, Independence, and several communities in Oklahoma. He moved to Coffeyville in 1977 where he lived until moving to Winfield in August 2004. He was a member or the Bible Holiness Church. Vernon also pastored at Bible Holiness Church's California, Elk City, Caney, and Coffeyville. Survivors include one son and his wife, Larry and Belinda Ellsworth of Eolia, MO; two grandsons, Ardie Allen Ellsworth and Jesse John Ellsworth both of Eolia, MO; one sister, Gertrude Swayne of Owasso, OK; one brother, Leroy Ellsworth of Colon, MI; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters. Services will be at 10:00 Friday, June 20, 2008 in the Bible Holiness Church in Parsons, KS (27th and Dirr) with longtime friend Dake Shreffler officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons with full military honors conducted by the U.S. Army, Fort Riley, KS. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial to the Independence Bible School; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337 David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.