Ferris receives Community Cornerstone Award

Robert Ferris is CornerBank’s Community Cornerstone Award recipient for January.
In recognition of his service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of Ferris’ choice. He has selected the Ark City Arts Council to receive the contribution. A reception honoring Ferris’ service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Ferris has been a member of Lions Club since 2005. He currently serves as vice president and previously served a term as president. He has earned several awards through the Lions Club and help start a Leo’s group at Arkansas City Middle School. He has been active in the Ark City Community Theatre, Winfield Community Theatre and also helped with the Cherokee Strip players.

Ferris’ additional volunteer efforts include the Arkansas City Arts Council board, Habitat for Humanity and the Arkalalah Queens Committee. He has been a volunteer for USD 470 and
has helped with high school track and cross-country meets since 1989.

Ferris is active with Central Christian Church. He served as youth leader from 1989 to 1993
and has worked with the Chalice Casting Company. He was co-pastor of Marland UMC/Christian Church from 1993 to 1997 and served as youth pastor in Caldwell from 1997
to 1999. Since 2001, he has served as co-pastor of First Christian Church in Newkirk.

Ferris, who is the son of Mel and Ardelia Ferris, was born and raised in Arkansas City. He graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1981 and Cowley College in 1983. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in funeral service from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1985. He earned his funeral director license that year and worked as a funeral director in Oklahoma before returning to his hometown. He is a funeral director at Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home. Ferris has provided tours of the funeral home for area school and church groups and is a speaker at Hospice training.

Ferris and his wife, Kathleen, have been married 28 years. They have two children,
Abbey and Ross.

Ferris was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Arleta Rice, Judy Reedy, Karl Faidley, Curt Freeland and Brenda Combs. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. They’re on your corner – the people next door. They’re in your corner – helping make our community stronger. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. If you know of a Cowley County resident who has shown servant leadership in community service, contact Joyce McArtor at 442-6500 or joycem@cornerbank.com for nomination guidelines.