ELLARS, Opal Irene (BRIGHT)

MARTINDALE, BRIGHT, ELLARS, REYNOLDS, PRIEST, PHIPPS, MENKENS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/30/2016 at 02:46:30

Obituary ~ Opal Irene (Bright) Ellars
August 14, 1907 ~ December 03, 2003

Opal Irene Ellars of Leon, daughter of Lewis Ezra and Carrie M. Martindale Bright, was born Aug. 14, 1907, in Decatur County and died Dec. 3, 2003, at Westview Acres in Leon. She was 96.

Opal attended Diamond School in Decatur County. She married Clarence Riley “Dick” Ellars on Oct. 25, 1923, in Leon and they became the parents of three children, Maudie Irene, Clarence Richard, and Lyman Earl. They also raised Maurice Eldon Reynolds, loving him as their own.

Mr. and Mrs. Ellars were longtime residents and farmers in Decatur County. They lived in Madison County for seven years before retiring and returning to Leon. Their home was open to anyone and nieces and nephews often lived with them. Mrs. Ellars enjoyed cooking large family dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Mrs. Ellars was a member of the Leon Assembly of God for 60 years. She was actively affiliated with her church as long as health allowed.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two sons, Richard and Lyman; a grandson, Darwin Lester Priest; son-in-law, Bill Priest; two sisters Cecile and Lulu Phipps; and four brothers, Gail, Frederick, Earl and Clarence Bright.

Mrs. Ellars is survived by her daughter, Maudie Priest of Leon, son Maurice Reynolds and friend Lana of Osceola; daughter-in-law, Eva Ellars of Des Moines; seven grandchildren, Dick Priest and Janet Menkens, both of Leon, Rick Ellars of Cedar Rapids, Bonnie Ellars of Las Vegas, Nev., Linda Hauck of Omaha, Neb., Jennifer Reyolds of San Diego, Calif. and Mark Reynolds of Cedar Rapids.

Other survivors include 17 great-grandchildren; 22 great-great-grandchildren; several great-great-stepgrandchildren; a great-great-great-granddaughter; a sister-in-law, Jettie Bright of Des Moines; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ellars were Dec. 6 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Richard Queener officiating. Organist was Virginia Webb and vocalists were Mark Priest and Terry Roberts. Music selections were What a Day That Will Be and Safely Home.

Casket bearers were Dick Priest, Mark Priest, Rick Ellars, Luke Priest, Michael Priest and Jim Menkens. Interment was in Leon Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leon Assembly of God Church.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2016