Kenneth La Verne Sellars
Kenneth La Verne Sellars
Kenneth La Verne Sellars
May 26, 1945 – July 24, 2015
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 70
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
Eternal life began for Kenneth L. Sellars, 70, of Oskaloosa on Friday evening, July 24th, 2015, with his “little nippers” by his side at the MHP Hospice Serenity House.
Kenneth La Verne Sellars, son of Harold Kenneth and Dorothy Beatrice (Bunnell) Sellars was born on May 26th, 1945 in Newton, Iowa.
As a child Ken’s family moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa where he graduated with the class of 1963. That same year he enlisted in the Air Force and served briefly before being honorably discharged in 1964 for medical reasons.
After his discharge, Ken then returned to Oskaloosa and was employed by the Safeway store. During his working career he was employed as a manager of Ideal Supply Company, Farmers Cashway Lumber, and later Pioneer Lumber Company in Coal City, Illinois. After a brief time in Ainsworth, Iowa he returned back to Oskaloosa in 2001 for his retirement.
Ken was united in marriage to Loretta Joann Dunwoody, on September 26, 1965. To that union, four daughters and one son were born. Ken and Loretta later divorced.
Ken had a wonderful sense of humor and came up with colorful names like “Ercil P. Twine & Bolivar Shagnasty”. He was always telling jokes and could always give you a smile and laugh. He was a wonderful father and gave his all when asked to help. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, genealogy, astrology, chess, but most of all, he enjoyed having his family around.
He was very active in the Oskaloosa Little League Baseball for many years, serving as a coach/manager, vice-president and president. He was also a member and held several offices in the Eagles Aerie #276 in Oskaloosa.
His family includes his companion Carol Leatherwood; his children: Rhonda Joann (& Steve) Phillips, Robin Sue (& Joe) Mayhew, Dorothy Ann (& Shawn) Garrison, and Douglas Anthony (& Sarah) Sellars; 17 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; his mother, Dorothy Lanphier; two brothers: Kent (& Lusia) Sellars, and Donald Sellars; two sisters: Diana (& Bruce) Mattix and Roxann (& Mike) Goings; and his estranged wife, Arlene Sellars.
Ken was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Lynn Hershey; father, Harold Kenneth Sellars Jr; a sister, Linda Costanzo; a stepfather, Jack Lanphier; father and mother-in-law, Everett “Pat” Ray and Dorothy Dunwoody; and a great grandson, David Joseph Fincher.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Ken at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2015, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Alvern Boetsma of the Good News Chapel officiating.
As was his wish, his body has been cremated.
Burial of his ashes will be in Bluff Creek Cemetery in rural Mahaska County.
Military honors will be presented by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.
