Ersel Edward Anthony, 91, of Savannah, MO, passed away July 9th, 2023.

He was born October 17, 1931 to Lewis and Neva (Gibson) Anthony.

Ersel was preceded in death by his parents; two sons Douglas and Ersel Edward Anthony II; siblings Elmer, Mary Jane, Robert, Gail, Viola, Clinton, Charles, Marvel, Arnold, Joanne and three infant siblings.

Survivors include daughters Debbie Carman (Ernie) and Lavonne; son Tom (Catherine) Anthony; granddaughters Laura, Sarah, Paige, Trish, Joanne, Milesa and Heather; grandsons Brandon and Jeremy; great-grandsons Denton (Ashley), Dalton (Corissa) and Drake among other great-grandchildren; several great great-grandsons and great great-granddaughters; Scott Lester who was like a grandson; special niece and nephew Denise Bushnell and Bob Anthony and dear friends and "older brother" Ron and Vanda Morgan as well as several nieces and nephews.

Ersel was an Air Force veteran. He believed in the Lord and was of the Pentecostal faith.  At one time he sold sewing machines and was a plumber for over 30 years.  He was a  32nd Degree Mason, a Lifetime Ambassador of Shriners, Master of the Lodge for one year, he lectured on the Shriner Degree Team, served as a worthy Patron 2015, a member of Westville Chapter 449 Order of Eastern Star and a member of Westville Lodge 549.  It was said of Ersel by Hubbard Stanley "He was a stern teacher" and "taught him how to speak the language".

He was honored to drive the van to take children to Galveston, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana hospitals with no pay and most of the time paid his own way.  "Was the least he could do for those precious children" he said.

He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. When the district meetings roll call was taken and they would ask how many teenagers, he would stand up and they all would laugh.  They looked forward for Ersel to do that at all the meetings.  As the brethren of the lodge put it "He was a precious, valued member of the lodge and Shriners".

He will be dearly missed by his daughter, son-in-law Ernie Bowman, grandchildren, family members and his many, many friends.

Graveside service 11:00 AM Thursday, July 20th at Leavenworth National Cemetery.  Officiant Pastor Sharon Spiegel.