Charles Aven Ellard

Charles Aven Ellard, 82, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 at the Cedargate Skilled Nursing Facility in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Ellard was born Dec. 4, 1929 in Jackson, Miss. While living in Pittsboro Miss., he earned the rank of Eagle Scout . He was a graduate of Bruce High School, Bruce, Miss.; a graduate of University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss. with a BA in Math and English; a graduate of University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. with a MA in Education; and a graduate of various Army schools including the Presidio-Monterey Army Language School in Monterey, Calif., where he completed the Spanish course. His military career included many different fields of work including jumpmaster, infantry operation and intelligent specialist, ROTC instructor at the University of Mississippi and the University of Arkansas, and Instructor at the NCO Academy. Mr. Ellard retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service, having served in Japan, Austria, Germany and Panama. During his military career he was awarded an Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Parachutist and Glider Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal W/2 loops, and 2 Expert Rifle Awards, and an Army Commendation Medal. After retiring from the Army he became a Veteran's Hospital administrator, working 20 years in 5 states. Mr. Ellard was a member of First Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, service project leader, and Deacon. He was Regional Director of 55 Alive Safe driving and taught 55 Alive Safe Driving Courses for AARP. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, his church and church work, helping senior citizens and people in need, traveling to all 50 states and in several foreign countries, reading, quoting poetry, fishing, hunting, and watching sports.

On July 8, 1951, he married Martha Anne Fancher in Coffeeville, Miss. She preceded him in death on Sept. 17, 2011.

Other survivors include two daughters, Martha Charlene Ellard Dougherty and husband, Terry of Fredericksburg, Va. and Nellie Ruth Ellard Hutcheson of Poplar Bluff; four grandchildren: Patrick Sheridan Dougherty and wife, Megan of Virginia, Brian Cleburne Dougherty and wife, Amber of Virginia, David Andrew Hutcheson and wife, Samantha, stationed in Hawaii and Laura Ruth Brown and husband, Matt of Omaha, Neb.; one great-grandchild, Kinzley Tegan Dougherty; a step great-grandchild, Jake Raines; a brother, James Allen Ellard and wife, Catherine of Evansville, Ind.; two sisters-in-law, Lula Dell Smith and husband, Rayburn of Trustville, Ala., and Nell McGee and husband, Colon of Corinth, Miss.; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, Cecil Horace and Vera (Lee) Ellard, and infant twin sons, John Isaac and Cecil Myrick Ellard also preceded Mr. Ellard in death.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13th at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14th in the funeral chapel with Charles Harper officiating. The American Legion Riders will provide a processional escort to Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo. where burial with full military honors will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Missouri Baptist Children's Home,11300 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044.

Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.