Ron Ellis

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ronald Keith Ellis, Jr. passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023 in Columbia, MO.

Ron was born on October 6, 1941 in St. Paul, MN, son of the late Ronald K. Ellis, Sr. and Carolyn T. (Mega) Ellis. He grew up in South St. Paul, MN where he enjoyed sports and running with his friends. 

He was a natural athlete. His signature position was playing goalie for the neighborhood and school hockey teams, where they often had to shovel the outdoor rink before games. 

In the summers, once he was old enough to carry 5 tall malt glasses on a carhop tray to a car window without spilling a drop, he worked at his Grandpa Tony’s root beer stand where he saved up money to go bowling and eat Chinese food with his friends on the weekends throughout the school year. When he was in High School his family moved to Mission, KS, where he enjoyed playing football.

Immediately after high school he joined the Naval Air Force and was stationed as an airplane radar operator in Pacific Barrier Air Defense mission known as “Willy Victor”. He was stationed on Midway Island where he was part of a crew that would fly 14 hour missions to the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska and back. When he was not on active duty, he and his friends worked at a steak restaurant in Hawaii.

After leaving the Navy he moved to California to help start up a restaurant and learn the business. With the money he earned from an intense period of work in California, he traveled through Europe in an MG that he bought with cash in England. After his return to the states, he owned and managed several restaurants the St. Paul, MN area.

It was in this period that he met his future wife Fern Marie Harnack. She was from Sheldon IA and worked as a nurse in the twin cities. Soon after they met, she ran into him again as he was helping his grandmother run errands. His dedication to family even as a young man made an impression on her.

 

After their marriage in September of 1966, Ron and Fern started a family right away. In 1972 they moved down to Joplin Missouri as Ron was hired to manage the historic Wilders Restaurant on South Main St. After getting out of the restaurant business to find a career that was more conducive to family life, Ron had a series of jobs including sales for Neosho Nurseries, landscaping, real estate agent and even a short stint as a gas station owner. In his late forties and early fifties, he found a niche as a real estate appraiser. In all his endeavors Ron brought his personable character and charming sense of humor. As well as his independent nature (and strong will).

Shortly after arriving in Joplin, Ron and his family found their spiritual home at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he was active by helping with readings, counting money, and being a Eucharistic minister. Ron also played on and later coached the St. Mary’s Softball team. Fern sang in the choir. His four children attended the Joplin Area Catholic Schools.

Ron’s leisure and social activities almost always involved family and a small group of close friends who were likely family to him. He and his family returned often to Minnesota and Iowa for holidays and events such as weddings and graduations. Later he organized large camping trips on the lakes in southern Missouri where family and friends were welcome to join and take part. As his family grew and grandkids entered the scene, he and Fern bought a summer lake property next to their close friends Dick and Bonnie Tesh. Over the years it has served as a center for family gatherings and a place where many memories and fun family traditions have been created. At the center of it all was Ron. For his children, their spouses and his eleven grandchildren the lake place as well as the house in Joplin personified the man. They were always an open and welcoming place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the loving and strong embrace of family.

At family gatherings and events, Ron’s constant presence with his lighthearted conversations and resounding laughter, will be missed - but his spirit and memory will always be present.

In addition to his parents, Ron is reunited with his wife, Fern who preceded him in death in 2002 and his son, Michael who passed as a baby in 1974, and a sister, Geraldine “Gerrie” Iserman.

He will live on in the memories of his family and friends. His children, Mark Ellis and wife Patty of Columbia, MO, Scott Ellis and wife Lisa of Springfield, MO, Diane Freitas and husband Michael of Austin, TX, and Denise Silhavy and husband Jonathon of Collinsville IL; 11 grandchildren, Cassie Freitas, Syd Ellis, Megan Freitas Pearson and husband Ace, Jacob Freitas and wife Hannah, Jarod Silhavy, Morgan Ellis, Simon Ellis, Taylor Ellis, Devon Silhavy, Connor Ellis, and Lexi Ellis; his brother, William Ellis of St. Paul, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. , at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Joseph Weidenbenner officiating. Interment will follow in Osborne Memorial Cemetery with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, May 24th at 6:00 p.m. in the Parker Mortuary Chapel with a visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Joplin Area Catholic Schools.