Lovern Ellis

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Lovern F. Ellis, age 72, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on Wednesday March 18, 2015, following a short illness. 

Lovern was born on June 21, 1942, the son of the late Stanley and Belva (Johnson) Ellis. He has been a lifetime area resident. He married Jane LeRoy on January 17, 1964 in Carterville, Mo., together they raised two children. He graduated from MSSU with a degree in accounting. He worked for Aero Body Company and then Farmer Chemical Company. He developed a geometric figure and method for computing inventory of fertilizer that they still use today. After working in private accounting at the Webb Corporation for five years he joined the firm of Myers, Scarborough and Baker. Five years later he joined Tamko where he worked for thirty-four years where he served on the Board of Directors as the treasurer. He served as past president of the National Association of Accountants. He served as the treasurer for the Joplin Family Y for six years. He was also the treasurer of the Tri-State Boy Scouts. He was the City Clerk for the City of Carterville for five years. Lovern was a past Deacon of the Church of Christ. After retiring from Tamko he began selling real estate for Keller Williams Realty. 

Lovern is survived by his wife of fifty-one years Jane Ellis, Joplin; one son Kenneth Ellis and wife Cindi, Phoenix, Az.; one daughter, Mary Reynolds and husband Richard, Joplin; one brother, Johnny Wells and wife Sandy, Carterville, Mo.; three sisters, Phyllis Comeau and husband Jack, Carthage, Mo., Rosetta Hales, Carthage, Mo., and Linda Neil, of the state of California; four grandchildren, Russell Reynolds and wife Erica, Garrick Reynolds, Kolby Ellis, and Kendra Ellis; with one great-grandchild on the way; a very close cousin, Carol Scribner and husband Darrell, Diamond, Mo., and life-long friends Raymond and Kathy Vann, Carl Junction, Mo. He was preceded in death by a sister, Beverly Smith. 

A Memorial visitation will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Granby House in care of the mortuary. Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.