Ernest Welby Vitatoe

Ernest Welby Vitatoe

CHILLICOTHE: Ernest Welby Vitatoe, 88, of Chillicothe, went to be with the Lord at 10:55pm Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Traditions of Chillicothe.

He was born June 8, 1924, in Cartwright, KY, to the late William Ballenger and Ermon Morrison Vitatoe. On November 23, 1946, he married Wanda D. Sloan, daughter of the late Charlie Bell and Lillian Sloan.

Welby is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Wanda D. Vitatoe; his son and daughter-in-law, Larry (Arna) Vitatoe; grandsons, Andrew (Alicia) Vitatoe, and Nathan (Kenzie) Vitatoe; great-grandchildren, Victoria, Evelyn, Ryan, Myah and Farrah Vitatoe, all of Chillicothe; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth and Kermit Vitatoe, infant twin brothers; and sisters, Anna McKinley and Opal Guffey.

Welby lived for many years in Kokomo, IN, where he was the owner of Ray-Wel Motors, a GMC Truck and American Motors Corporation Dealership. He also developed land in both Indiana and Florida, and was an active member of the Kokomo First Church of the Nazarene. After retirement Welby and Wanda resided in Ft. Myers, FL, where they were members of the Ft. Myers First Church of the Nazarene.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am CDT, Saturday, July 7, at the First Baptist Church, 110 W. Cumberland St., Albany, KY, with Rev. Jeffery Brown and Rev. Joey Brummett officiating. Burial will follow in Cartwright Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 6-8pm CDT at the Talbott Funeral Home, 1106 N. Cross St., Albany, KY, 42602. Local arrangements are under the direction of Haller Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the World Gospel Mission, PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952-0948. His online guestbook is available at www.HallerFuneralHome.com