Ellis E. Vanness

WILMINGTON—Ellis “Jack” E. Vanness, 92, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
Jack was born and raised in Ripley, TN. Jack, along with his twin brother, Willis, served their country with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. In Jack’s early years he was a farmer; farming was the Vanness family business. He then relocated to Illinois and worked for a short time at General Mills in LaGrange. Jack later worked for the state of Illinois as a grain inspector, and after that worked as a grain inspector for a private company until his retirement. Jack enjoyed attending local high school sporting events, vegetable gardening, word search puzzles and westerns but most of all Jack loved his family, spending time with them is what brought him the most joy.
He is survived by his loving wife, Elcia (nee Gill) Vanness. In December they would have been married 65 years. Also, his daughters: Barbara (Jeffrey) McKenzie, Betty Vanness and Donna Vanness; his grandchildren, Sean McKenzie and Kaitlin McKenzie; his brother, James (Shirley) Vanness and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Milo and Montie (nee Ross) Vanness; two sisters, Louise Davis and Mildred Akins; two brothers, Raymond Vanness and his twin brother, Willis Vanness.
Visitation for Jack Vanness will take place on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home. Funeral service will take place the following day, Aug. 15, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. also at the funeral home. A committal service with full military honors will immediately follow at 11 a.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s name to the Wilmington VFW or Wilmington Lions Club would be most appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, www.forsythegouldfh.com.