Saturday, January 3, 2026

Obituary - Ellis L. "Vernie" 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 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.


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