Kenneth Ellison

Kenneth Robert Ellison, 84, rural Independence, Kansas died Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Kenneth was born March 23, 1926 on the family farm near Independence to Orrin Ellison and Irma Leslie Ellison. He grew up in the IndependenceDearing area and received his education there. Kenneth graduated high school in May of 1944, worked the wheat harvest until July when Uncle Sam called him to be a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as an airplane mechanic. After his honorable discharge, Kenneth returned to the family farm, where he continued to farm and raise cattle until his health prevented it. He had been a member of the VFW and Farm Bureau and attended the Dearing Methodist Church. Kenneth enjoyed his cattle, farming and gardening, raising a fine crop of tomatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon. He was mechanically inclined and fixed anything and everything and built three hay wagons. Kenneth is survived by two brothers, Keith Ellison of Caney, Kansas and Dale Ellison and his wife, Doris of Overland Park, Kansas two sisters, Annabel Westerhaus of Pratt, Kansas and Reba Miller and her husband, George of Lakeland, Florida 15 nieces and nephews and several greatnieces and greatnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents by a brother, Leslie Ellison and by two sisters, Ruth Jabben and Alleyne Ellison. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Thursday, March 3, 2011 at PenwellGabel FordWulfBruns Chapel with Evangelist David Bycroft officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence, Kansas under the direction of PenwellGabel Funeral Home amp Crematory. Visitation will be Wednesday, 9am8pm, with the family receiving friends at the funeral home, 68 pm. Memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Association and may be left at the funeral home. To send a condolence to the family online, visit www.penwellgabelcoffeyville.com.