Ellis Leroy Sanford, 101, of Novinger, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at The Arbors at Highland Crest in Kirksville, Missouri.

Born April 20, 1921 in Western Adair County, Missouri, Ellis was the son of the late Byron Lee and Nora Pearl (Gilliland) Sanford. On June 18, 1943 at Camp White near Midford, Oregon, Ellis was united in marriage to Margie Fern Jones who preceded him in death on December 17, 2012. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Francis Sanford, and three sisters, Alta Hall, Betty Easley, and Helen Wilson.

Ellis is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Richard "Rick" and Cheryl Sanford of Novinger, MO; one daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn Sue and Larry "Joe" McCarty of Kirksville, MO; five grandchildren, Corey Sanford, Curtis Sanford, Rhonda Coy and husband Jeff, Veronica Pickett, and Melissa Ellis and husband Steve; four great-grandchildren, Blake and Monica Pickett and Casey and Sidney Coy and wife Lauren; three step-grandchildren, Nicholas and Alexandria Harrell and Madalyn Ellis; as well as one niece and two nephews. He was also survived by a host of friends for he never met a stranger.

Ellis was a lifelong resident of Adair County, and received his education in the West Elm Grove and Golden Rule Schools. He helped on the family farm, and worked at a rock quarry before entering the United States Army on October 1, 1942. He was stationed at Camp White and Camp Adair Oregon, and attended a three month Mechanic School at Fort Benning, Georgia before shipping out for overseas from Norfolk, Virginia April 12, 1944 for Oran, Africa. He then went to Italy where he was engaged in his first day of battle on July 4, 1944 near Florence, Italy. He was engaged in three major battles, 1-Rome, Arno, 2-North Apennines, and 3- Po Valley. Ellis received three Bronze Stars for these battles. Ellis received an honorable discharge on November 6, 1945 and returned to the family farm for a short time. He then worked at the Hudson Car Agency for Alva Bauer for nearly three years. before going to work as a mechanic at Weber GMC Truck Sales for over twelve years. Ellis then had his own truck repair shop for several years on Industrial Road in Kirksville.

Ellis was a devoted husband and father, enjoyed family reunions, and friends reunions. He enjoyed Country, Gospel, and some Blue Grass music, lawn work, light mechanic work, traveling, his 1928 Model A, and ancestry.

Ellis was a member of Kirksville V.F.W. Post 2508 and of Hamilton Street Baptist Church where he served as Deacon a number of years. He also attended Novinger Baptist Church in Novinger, MO.

Public visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 27, 2022 with a Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Darrell Crooks officiating. Interment will follow at Green Castle Cemetery in Green Castle, MO.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ellis may be made to the Novinger Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.