Kenneth C. Ellerbrock

September 28, 1928 – March 20, 2024

Loving husband and father has passed into Jesus' arms surrounded by family on March 20, 2024 at the age of 95. He was born in Fawn River, MI to William C. and Alma (Parks) Ellerbrock while on their family vacation. He was the second of three children raised in Peru, IL with his brother John (deceased) and sister Shirley (Krugulsi, also deceased). He followed his lifelong wife Lorraine (Lory) to heaven by three days. They were married two weeks short of 74 years. He considered this union one of his greatest blessings.

During his youth in Peru Ken was productive with any job that would give him some pocket change, including setting pins at the local bowling alley. When Ken was 15, his father passed away from pneumonia complications. He accepted an offer to spend the summer with his cousins near Charleston, MO where he helped on the family farm and learned about agriculture, machinery, animal care and even delivered mail. No matter how difficult or challenging the job, he showed up and did his best with great pride and dedication. This strong work ethic carried throughout his life. 

Ken graduated from Peru High School and enlisted in the Army in 1947 to join his brother in service for our country. It was there that he began a pen pal relationship with his future wife, Lorraine (Lory) Legat. They married in 1950 and built a home together in Spring Valley, IL from the basement up with the help of family and friends. They had 2 daughters there, Arlene (Baker) and Karen (Fleming) and were surrounded by family until 1961 when they relocated to Morton, IL. This move provided an opportunity to become the Terminal Manager of Norwalk and later Buckingham Truck Lines in Peoria, IL.

Ken achieved Master Mason level with Freemasons. After attending a Christian Business Men’s meeting he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, later leaving behind the Masons. He served as President of the Local Teamster’s Organization and volunteered behind the scenes with his church TV station while living in Morton, IL from 1961 – 1997. He was a highly intelligent man with enough determination to see every project to completion no matter what it required.

Ken retired from Kroger Company as a Teamster driver. His love was always trucking. He was blessed to have routes allowing him to return home daily. Together he and Lory enjoyed a good life with wonderful travels via cruises and tours and winter vacations to sunny Phoenix, AZ. As their daughters discovered the amazing sunshine nearly 360 days a year due to their travel, (a true reprieve from Illinois winters), the family migrated there and upon retirement in 1997 Ken and Lory followed purchasing a home in Ahwatukee (Phoenix area). Currently their daughters and two of three granddaughters live in Arizona.

Opportunities to contribute to their community included volunteering with the City of Tempe Courts and Ken with AARP as a Counselor for Tax Preparation. They enjoyed many years of friendships while participating in activities and social lunches at the Pecos Senior Community Center.

Both Ken and Lory are Founding Members of Arizona Community Church in Tempe, AZ. Their "In-Joy" senior group was a very important part of their friendships providing opportunities for travel and exciting activities. They also were generous in their loving support of several missionary families, some over 3 generations.

Ken has been a strong political activist in a quiet but extremely effective way by supporting Judicial Watch for many years. He was always a conservative in values and loved America and our freedoms. Mostly he loved his wife and family.

We loved him most for always being ready to lend a hand and give encouragement. Together, Ken and Lory were incredibly kind people, loving and full of integrity. He was a man with a surprising past and a memory for details and interesting stories in addition to current event facts. Together he and Lory lived independently at home where he did the shopping, some home repairs, and was productive and quite content. There will never be another man like him, and we love, admire and miss him so very much.  

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