Weldon Vanzant

Weldon L. Vanzant, age 90, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois passed away at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 9, 2023 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois. 

He was born December 18, 1932 in Shelby County, Missouri the son of William Shelby and Lovie Rochelle Stone Vanzant.  He married Phyllis Elbus on April 20, 1993 in Mt. Sterling, Illinois and she survives. 

Weldon worked for both E & E Equipment in Shelbyville, Missouri and George Keller & Sons in Quincy, Illinois on heavy farm equipment for over 40 years, enjoying every minute of it.  After his retirement in 2000, he went to work for Service Master and the Larry Yingling family for 23 years.  Weldon was always a very dedicated worker and rarely missed work, arriving on time daily. He believed every worker should give 8 hours of work for 8 hours of pay and was proud to have never asked for a raise.

He attended Fry Grade School and graduated from Shelbyville High School.  

Mr. Vanzant was a veteran of the Korean War having served his country in the United States Army.  

Weldon was proud to be called a follower of Jesus Christ and was a member of the Timewell Baptist Church.  

He was also a member of the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374.  Weldon loved gardening and working in the yard.  He simply just loved to put his hands in the dirt and raise flowers, like his Grandmother Stone.

Survivors include his wife Phyllis Vanzant of Mt. Sterling, Illinois.  4 children Vicki DeWitt (Mike) of Timewell, Illinois, David McNeff of Timewell, Illinois, Michele Elbus Behymer (Steve) of Hersman, Illinois and Joyce Elbus Harvey (Rich) of Estes Park, Colorado.  14 grandchildren Jessica Mathewson (Dave), Bobbi Jo Salmons (Jerry), Eric DeWitt (Emma), Ryon McNeff (Bekah), Erynn Chartrand (Alex), Danny Behymer (Nikki), Stacey Volk, Brock Behymer (Tiara), Kirsten Laning (Richard), Larissa Boyd (John), Jennifer Bullard, Aimee Bonanno (Kevin), Steve Harvey (Heather) and Jeff Harvey (Shannon).  Several great grandchildren including Logan and Sami Jo Mathewson, David, Logan, Heather and Austin Salmons,  Kollyns DeWitt, Jonah Chartrand, Kaiya, Cole and Jackson Behymer, Brandon and Landon Volk, Savannah Rogers, Tristen, Trevon and Presley Jo Laning also survive along with 5 sisters-in-law Mary Vanzant, Rose Brooks, Betty Perry, Sharon Lamma and Betty Vance and several nieces and nephews.   

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister Olive Deane Peters (Gene), 3 brothers Tom Will Vanzant (Becky), Jimmy Douglas Vanzant and Harry Ellis Vanzant (Carolyn Sue) and 1 son Greg Elbus. 

Cremation will be accorded and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023 in the Timewell Baptist Church.  A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following the service.   

There will be no visitation. 

Burial of the cremated remains will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023 in the Hersman Cemetery.  Military honors will be conducted at the graveside by the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374 and the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Detail.  

Memorials are suggested to Timewell Baptist Church or the Brown County Food Basket.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.