Ellsworth Porter

Ellsworth C Porter, 88, of Wheelersburg left this earth and arrived in heaven on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Southern Ohio Medical Center. Born on January 9, 1927 in Elliott County, KY, he was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Rebecca (Skaggs) Porter, his brother, Billy Gene Porter, his sister, Mary “Mag” Ferguson, his brother-in-law, Harry Ferguson, his nephew, Junior Ferguson, and his son, Daniel Porter.  Ellsworth attended God’s Bible College, is a member of Wheelersburg Church of the Nazarene and also attended Christ’s Community Church.  Ellsworth, a World War II veteran, was a carpenter and member of Carpenter’s Local #437, and was employed by the former Detroit Steel Corporation. Ellsworth enjoyed reading God’s Word, loved gardening and generously shared his produce with family and neighbors.  He delighted his family with his many stories of his boyhood antics.  He spent many hours rocking in his chair with his faithful dog Ellie snuggled up beside him.  Most importantly, he loved everyone without reservation!

Ellsworth is survived by his loving wife, JoAnn (Mahan) Porter, five sons, John Porter of Berkeley, CA, James (Samantha) Porter of Wheelersburg, David (Loretta) Porter of Wheelersburg, Philip Porter of Wheelersburg, and Kevin (Arlene) Porter of Marysville; two daughters, Bonnie (Bane) Sylvia of Friendship and Dr. Ruth Ann (Randy) Murphy of Wheelersburg, his brother, Paul (Janet) Porter of Wheelersburg, his sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Ken Crady of Sequim, WA, and his nieces, Cheryl (Brian) Bays of Findley and Angie (Steve) Marvin of Wheelersburg.

Ellsworth, a kind and patient papaw, relished his role as a grandfather. One grandson described him as “a man you tried to be like; one that you knew was special. A man who taught us what a Christian man looks like and what it meant to work hard and love God.”  He is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will forever miss and treasure the time spent and memories made with their Papaw Porter.  Rose (Todd) Paoletti (Ben and Julia), Julian Clemens, Adam (Molly) Sylvia (Nathan and Nick), Rebecca Sylvia, Lt Col Rhett (Dottie) Murphy (Braden, Hannah and Reese), Ryan (Katie) Murphy (Molly and Connor), Ross (Jodie) Murphy, Misty (Tony) Combs (Chase Rawlins and Eleasah Jo Combs), MacKenzie Porter, Michelle (Mark) Ramey (Braden and Colin Bennington and Keidyll Ramey), Daniel Ross Green, Tracy Pettigrew, John Porter, David (Bethanie) Porter Jr. (Davin Simmons, Aiden Spang, and David Porter III, Kasey Jo (Ryan) Rush (Ava and Isabella), Cori (Erin) Martin (Taylor, Cortni, Savana, and Michael), Jamie (Richard) Ottney (Ethan Niner and Layla Ottney), Holly Marie (Travis) Doolittle (Caden Johnson and Levi Doolittle), Eric (Brittany) Porter (Carter Adkins and Wyatt Porter), Alyssa Porter, Abby Porter, and Alex Porter.  “Uncle Buddy,” as Ellsworth was known to his nieces, great nieces and nephews, will also be missed by Justin (Katie) Bays and Callie Bays and Emily, Ben and Nick Marvin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at the BRANT FUNERAL HOME IN SCIOTOVILLE with Scott Rawlings officiating.  Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Garden with military honors by the James Dickey Post of the American Legion.  The family will receive guests at Brant’s from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and one hour prior to the service on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, Papaw Porter requested that donations be made to Christ’s Community Church in Portsmouth, Ohio to support teens attending Group Work Camps.