Larned – Kenneth Eugene Ellis, 61, died November 15, 2010 at the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned.

He was born August 31, 1949 at Hays, Kansas the son of Don and Mary Fuller Ellis. A resident of Larned since 1996 moving from Eureka, he was a retired prison guard at Larned Correctional Metal Health facility.

He was a member of the National Rifle Association, He was a Navy Veteran of the Vietnam war receiving the Purple Heart, good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, FMF Combat Insignia and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In 1978 he married Sheryl Rae Zimmerman at Russell, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Robert (Anita) Freed, Salem, Connectiut, Kenneth (Cynthia) Ellis Jr., Larned; a daughter, Sheryln (Tim) Wade, Alma, Oklahoma; three sisters, Melody Morgan, Ness City, Kansas, Mary Kay Kauffman, Garden City, Kansas, Leah Crowley, Kinsington, Kansas; and ten grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Ellis; and a sister, Barbara Hoffman.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor Richard Langlness presiding. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday and Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery with Military Honors provide by the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors Detail.