On July 2, 2015, Ellsworth Bland German of Gloucester, Va., entered eternally into his heavenly home surrounded by family and friends at the age of 87.
Ellsworth was born on Jan. 29, 1928 in Baltimore, Md., but moved to Gloucester as a young boy, where his parents were born, raised and had previously resided.
At a very early age, he began driving trucks for his family business, C. H. German Transfer Trucking Company, which led to his love of traveling. He spent years delivering fruits and vegetables up and down the East Coast. After his father, Christian, sold the trucking business, the family moved to the James Store area, where his dad became the postmaster in 1947. That same year, Ellsworth married Alice Mae and they enjoyed 52 wonderful years together until her passing in 1999.
One of Ellsworth’s most proud accomplishments was the years he served in the United States Army until he was discharged in 1955 with the rank of Corporal in the Ordnance Division.
Following his discharge, he returned to Gloucester and worked as Parts Manager for Twigg Motor Company in Mathews. After being married for 17 years, the birth of Heidi in 1964 made Ellsworth a dad…another proud moment. That same year, he became a security guard for Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and remained there until he retired in 1990. No stranger to hard work, Ellsworth labored many hours farming with his father raising corn and soybeans and continued that family tradition with his cousin Gerald German for many years. He also sold seed corn and beans to the local farmers from several different seed companies.
As the years went by, Ellsworth planned many family vacations every summer and always threw Heidi an awesome birthday party every June.
Another proud day came in 1984 when Kevin Bristow asked for Heidi’s hand in marriage and he gained a son-in-law that would become so dear to him as well. Yet nothing would make him any prouder than the birth of his two beloved grandsons, Ryan Douglas in 1990 and Logan Thomas in 1993. Family time with his grandsons was very important to him, and he enjoyed taking them on trips from time to time and spoiling them any way he could.
Ellsworth spent many years attending and serving at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Bohannon and later at Olive Branch United Methodist Church in Gloucester. Church and his faith were very important parts of his life.
He was very active in fundraising and served on the board of directors for Northern Neck Farm Museum.
After being alone for 13 years since Alice Mae’s passing, Ellsworth was given a second chance of love when he met Betty Lane Respress of Mathews, whom he married in 2011. They too enjoyed bus trips, cruises and trips of all sorts until his health began to decline. Even after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, God continued to bless him with quality years of life that some are not fortunate to receive. Betty was a wonderful caregiver to Ellsworth during his final months until his health required admission to Heron Cove for care in his final days.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at Heron Cove for the excellent care he received.
Ellsworth was preceded in death by his parents, Christian and Evelyn German and his first wife, Alice Mae German.
Ellsworth is survived by his wife, Betty Lane Respress; his daughter, Heidi and her husband Kevin Bristow and his grandsons, Ryan and Logan Bristow; as well as a host of close family and friends who he cherished throughout his life.
Donations in memory of Ellsworth German can be made to the “A Heart Full of Memories” 2015 September Alzheimer’s Walk Team, led by his daughter Heidi (team captain). Mail your donation to Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Walk, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Va. 23060. Please earmark your donation with the team name. All donations are tax deductible and are greatly appreciated as the fight to find a cure of Alzheimer’s continues.
The family received friends on Monday, July 6, 2015 at Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory from 6:30-8 p.m. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home by the Rev. Rita Staul and the Rev. Jay Butcher. Burial was in Windsor Gardens Cemetery with military honors.
Andrews Funeral home & Crematory, Gloucester, was in charge of arrangements.