Ellis William Norris, age 88, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2006 at Winfield Rest Haven in Winfield, KS. He was a long time resident of the Gueda Springs, KS area.

Ellis was born in Portland, KS on September 2, 1917 to Will and Martha B. (Osborne) Norris.

He married Dorothy Melick on May 30, 1945, she passed away on March 27, 1972. On April 4, 1975 he married Margaret E. (Paschal) Schnelle. She passed away July 15, 2002.

Ellis was a farmer and stockman. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his family. He was active in his church through the years and was a life long member of the Wellington Church of Christ.

Ellis was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Dorothy; his second wife, Margaret; two brothers, Willard and Leonard; and two sisters, Alice Hendricks and Beulah Roberts.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda A. Gabel and her husband John of Oxnard, CA; two step-daughters, Margaret "Peggy" Howard and her husband Jack of Petersburg, IA and Joyce Freese of Phoenix, AZ; one brother, Lawrence A. Norris of Wellington, KS; stepdaughter-in-law, Rubie Schnelle Pennington and her husband Dave of Arkansas City, KS; one grandson, Johnny Gabel of Citrus Heights, CA; six step grandchildren, 12 step great grandchildren and three step great great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Friday, September 1, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. at the Wellington Church of Christ with Jack Howard officiating. Interment will be at Forrest Hill Cemetery, Ashton, KS.

A Memorial has been established with the Wellington Church of Christ in lieu of flowers. Contributions can be mailed to or left at the funeral home.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 31, 2006 from 1:00 – 9:00 P.M. and family will greet friends from 7:00-9:00 P.M.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.