Ellis LaVern McElwain

Funeral services for Ellis L. "Vernie" McElwain of Adrian, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 6 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Adrian United Methodist Church. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Ellis LaVern "Vernie" McElwain, age 75 of Adrian, Missouri died Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri. He was born January 26, 1950 to Ellis Leroy and Virginia Fern Bitner McElwain in Butler, Missouri.

Vernie, one of six children, grew up in Ballard, Missouri where he also attended school. In 1984 he moved to Adrian and remained there until his passing. Vernie married Barbara Davis on July 23, 1967 and to this marriage, four children were born. He worked at the General Motors Leeds plant in Kansas City, Missouri. Due to layoffs he was employed at the Gold Foundry for a few years before returning to General Motors after which he farmed full time–mainly row crops.

Vernie is described by his family as "a very special person." He was a friend to all and liked to drive around to meet and visit with people–taking the time to listen to their stories or troubles with an uncanny ability to recall every detail. When he was younger, Vernie took part in the sport of power lifting and occasionally competing at meets. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and taking trips to Elk Hunt in Colorado. On one particular trip he even survived when the truck he was in was struck by a train. Vernie would also often tell the story about surviving a dynamite explosion. His passing leaves a void in the lives of those who were lucky enough to have known him and his memory will live on through stories retold.

Vernie is survived by his wife, Barbara McElwain of Adrian, Missouri; one son, Darren McElwain of Adrian, Missouri; six grandchildren, Skyler McElwain (Christina), Tanner McElwain, Samuel Laughlin (Morgan), Catherine Pattison, Serenity Laughlin and Nathan Laughlin; two great-grandsons, Liam and Everett Laughlin; one brother, Glen McElwain and wife Linda of Butler, Missouri; one sister, Connie Eidson and husband Danny of Urich, Missouri; and one sister-in-law, Sharon McElwain of Butler, Missouri. Vernie was preceded in death by his parents; two stillborn children; one daughter, Nichole Laughin; two brothers, Howard McElwain and Bill McElwain; and one sister, Carol Jean Christopher.