John Ellis Ullery, 97, Freeman, Missouri, died Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2014 at the Freeman Presbyterian Church with burial in Freeman Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 16 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Freeman Presbyterian Church, the Dolan-West Dolan Fire Association or to Grace Hospice.

John was born March 5, 1917, on a farm southwest of Peculiar, Missouri, the son of William Lee Judson and Ella Margaret (Paustian) Ullery. The family moved to a farm southeast of Freeman in 1919. He attended Zion Grade School until the sixth grade, when he transferred to the Freeman School and graduated in 1934.

In 1936 John worked part-time for Stanolind Pipeline (now BP) until 1940, when he became full time and worked for 37 years, retiring in 1977. On April 11, 1941, John married Melva Lucille VanMeter in Butler, Missouri. To this union three sons were born. Gerald Ellis Ullery was stillborn on April 11, 1942. David Lynn Ullery was born on September 1, 1946 and Dennis Allan Ullery was born on February 4, 1950. John and Lucille celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on April 11, 2011. Lucille passed away 12 days later on April 23.

In 1942 he was drafted into military service, serving in the 103rd Infantry Division with the 328th Combat Engineer Battalion. In 1944 he went to the European Theater of Operations, serving in France, Germany, and Austria. On March 15, 1945, John was injured by an explosion of an anti-personnel mine. Some of the medals he received were the Purple Heart, two Battle Stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation. After the European was ended, he was transferred to the 45th Infantry Division and was discharged on November 13, 1945.

John was a volunteer firefighter for over 50 years and was a board member and President of the Dolan-West Dolan Fire Protection Association for several years. He spent nearly a year raising money and building the new fire station in Freeman. Later he was active in getting signatures for a petition calling for an election to form the Dolan & West Dolan Fire Protection District. He served on the Freeman City Council before serving in the Army and again when he returned.

John was a member of the Freeman School Board for six years and served as President when the Midway R-I School district was formed. He also served on the Midway Board of Education for two years, serving as President for one year when the new Midway High School was opened in 1959.

John loved gardening and fishing, and enjoyed helping friends and neighbors, and doing volunteer work in the community. He was a charter member of the Freeman Lions Club for seven years, and the Freeman Community Club after that. He was a life member of the DAV. Last, but certainly not least, he became an active member of the Freeman Presbyterian Church late in his life, but had been very active in the church long before he became a member.


John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lucille, brother, Howard F. Ullery and his wife Hazel, sister, Lorna U. Burch and her husband L.O. He is survived by sons, David L. Ullery of the home, and Dennis A. Ullery and wife, Susie of Kansas City North. He also leaves his only granddaughter, Karen Leigh Ullery Williams and husband, Brian of Kansas City North, as well as two nephews, one niece, and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.