Ernest M. Newell

Ernest M. Newell, 89, a lifelong resident of Damar, Kansas, passed away May 26, 2020, at his home.

He was the oldest of 13 children born to Armond Wilfred and Ruby Amanda (Thybault) Newell on December 8, 1930.

Following high school graduation, he attended college at St. Benedict’s in Atchison, Kansas. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. He was an MP during that time, serving as a POW Guard on Cheju-do Island.

On May 11, 1954, Ernest and Delores (LaBarge) Newell were united in marriage in St. Joseph’s Church, Damar. This is the church where Ernie was baptized, received the Holy Eucharist, served as an altar boy and attended throughout his entire life.

Ernie and Delores were blessed with seven children: Melinda (Mindy), Debra, Steve, Greg, Joseph, Todd, and Dan, raised six to adulthood, welcomed 14 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was a farmer for 30 plus years, an oilfield driller, worked for Boeing, a drywaller, a grain and seed dealer, and a chef at the Damar Country Kitchen. With his drywalling business and café, Ernie employed many of the local teenagers and taught them along the way. If you worked for Ernie, it was said to be the best trade school education you could get!

He was the Mayor of Damar for 20 years and served on the School Board.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Steve and Joseph Eugene; brothers Alvin Newell, Norman Newell, and Donald Newell; sister, Mary Ann Dinkel; and grandchild, Nicholas Frazier.

Leaving to mourn his passing are: his wife, Delores of Damar; daughters: Melinda “Mindy” Darnell of Damar, and Debra Hallman of Plainville; sons: Greg Newell of Osage Beach, Missouri, Todd Newell of Kansas City, Missouri, Dan Newell of Montgomery, Alabama; brothers: Vincent Newell of Hays, Bernard Newell of Concordia; sisters: Irma Laurin (Jeof) Long Island, Eunice Hamel of Hays, Josephine Daugherty of Salina, Kathleen Krier of Salina, Theresa Thompson of Beloit, Martha Nero of Thornton, Colorado; and 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

A Vigil Service was held Friday, May 29, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, at 107 North Oak in Damar.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, May 30, 2020, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Memorials are suggested to Kansas State Cancer Research and may be sent in care of Stinemetz Funeral home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, Kansas 67642.

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