Ellis Edward Charles

Ellis Edward Charles, 92, of Emporia, Kan., formerly of Metz, Mo., passed away on March 11, 2023, at Emporia Place, Emporia, Kan. Ellis was born on Oct. 12, 1930, in Metz, Mo., the son of Charles Floyd and Grace Mertie (Saul) Charles. He married Wilma “Jean” Knight on Dec. 10, 1949, in Nevada, Mo., and she preceded him in death on March 26, 2014.

Ellis graduated from Metz High School in 1948 where he starred in basketball earning the nickname “The Jackrabbit” for his jumping ability.

Following high school he attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., where he met his future wife, Wilma “Jean” Knight. Following his two years at SMSU, Ellis enlisted in the United States Air Force serving stateside at Perrin AFB for four years during the Korean War.

After his time of service, the couple moved to the Kansas City area where Ellis worked for W.E. Anderson Inc. (later bought by Dwyer Instruments, Inc) as a foreman until his retirement in 1999.

Survivors include his two children, Cheri Fletcher (Kevin), Manchester, Iowa, and Rhonda Jantzen (Jan), Emporia, Kan.; three grandchildren, Nick Kimminau (Masha), Pittsburgh, Pa., Rachel Niemackl-Matthias (Nick), Shawnee, Kan., and Jacob Kimminau, Wichita, Kan.; two great-grandsons, Charles David Kimminau, and Ronan William Niemackl-Matthias; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; his parents; two sisters, Lois Charles and Edith Collins; and a brother, Floyd Charles.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 16, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with Pastor Bill Platt officiating. Interment will follow in the Balltown Cemetery, Horton, Mo. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service at the funeral home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.