My father was the greatest man I ever knew.  This is going to be difficult to describe the great Man, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Mentor, Jim Ellison was and the legacy that will be carried going forward. 
 
My dad loved like no one else.  If I could wish 1 thing for my children is that they experience the love my father had for my mother in their own relationship.  
 
Mom and Dad worked very hard to support and care for all five of us. We grew up in East St. Louis, and were taught by our parents to respect everyone, respect ourself and be kind to those around us.  Their strong Catholic Faith and love for God helped shape and mold our values to community, the church and our families.   St. Phillips's Parish in East St. Louis was a great springboard into life as our Father and Mother was very active in its community. My Father's work with St. Phillips was a large influence in all 5 of our lives. From the great education, to the sports we all took part in, to the life lessons of working side by side with our parents at the concession stand.  Dad would come straight from work and meet mom and us kids at the ballfields.  He would be there until 8 or 9 each night.  He cared about every kid, his goal was to keep us off the street and for us to be doing something worth wile. I think the most fulfilling job he had was when he was laid off from Emerson for a few years and he became the custodian and disciplinarian at St. Phillips he loved being around kids and serving his Lord.  He really enjoyed working so close to Monsieur Fournie.
 
It seemed like we got everything we could possibly want or need.  Besides Dad's job as a machinist at Emerson he had his side business with coffee concessions at Emerson and the snow cone stand at St. Phillip that he and Mom ran.  I felt like we were the richest people in the world.  We were with love.
 
Dad had a lot of influence over people, there is one man inparticular, RJ Krause started the RJ Allstars in ESL getting kids off the street and doing something contructive, playing ball and taking them places.
 
Our dad's love of music was a big part of our life, we would sing in the car, every Sunday coming back from St. Louis from visiting our grandparents, aunts and uncles I'm sure people in other cars wonder what we were doing.  We would be singing, hanging on dad all the way home.  The parties we had at the house on Delmonte were so much fun.  The house was so small we had the parties in the garage  I'm sure we really entertained the neighbors with all the singing.  At the lake house he got a player piano and would play it for hours singing to mom and us.  He had a wonderful voice.
 
He really liked living in Illinois, he used to call it God's country, and our Uncle Ed always said that it was God's country because he was the only one who would have it.
 
Dad loved his 2 week vacation every year, we started with camping and then eventually dad found Florida and hotels, Florida was his heaven on earth. Back in the day it would take 3 days to drive to Florida and only 1-1/2 to get home.  Dad never wanted to leave so he would always say to mom we'll stay one more day, until he had to drive like the dickens to get home to get back to work. Dad just loved the sun, he would drive mom to the store and he would pull out his lawn chair and newspaper and sit in the parking lot enjoying the sun reading his paper waiting for mom to finish her shopping.  Sometimes he would go fishing, but never put a hook on because he didn't want to catch anything he wanted to enjoy the sun and the water.
 
One of our cousins recently said that her Dad always said your Dad saw everything through "rose colored glasses"... I remember even when I was very young, thinking that was certainly a better way to see things and hoped it would rub off on her dad.
 
My sister Barb always thought Dad was so tall until she danced with him at her wedding, she thought Oh my gosh he is short.  He was always taller than life to us.
  
Our Dad made friends everywhere he went: from East Saint Louis to Catawissa, MO to Florida. And I don't think anyone could forget Dad's signature smile, it was contagious. Behind that smile was a kind soul and a generous heart, willing to reach out and help those in need at any time. ( Dad's spirit of kindness and generosity is a gift to all of us, one to be passed down from generation to generation. )
 
Later in life dad called us his dividends.  He always thanked us for what we had done.  But little did he know, there was no way we could ever do enough to pay back what he did for us and gave to us.  Dad's  personality entered the room before he did.  His smile could light up the world.  He always had a kind word for everyone

My father was a wonderful Grandfather too. He cherished his grandchildren.  Everytime they saw Granpa he would say "I love you:" If they didn't know anything in this world they  knew they were very much loved.  He made them feel special all 31 of them, he always told them how beautiful they were and how proud he was of them.  Grandpa loved all seasons except from the last Notre Dame game until the first game of spring training for the Cardinals.  He felt there was not much to watch on TV during that time.   
 
We have so many great memories of Grandpa, time spent at the Lakehouse in Cattawissa, fishing, afternoons on the pontoon and going out on the paddle boat. How he loved when we came to Florida, he loved sharing his ocean and sun with us. He would take us to spring training games and get us signed baseballs.
 
Dad gave his grandkids the best gift of all, gift of time and love. As you can image with having 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren Grandma and Grandpa kept busy watching their special events to cheer them on.  Baseball, soccer, basketball, dance recitals, hockey games, Christmas programs, the list goes on and on.  Grandpa was a big believer that you didn't play the game to just win.   If they got mad because they lost, grandpa would say it doesn't matter if you won or lost , it matters how you played the game and if you had fun and worked as a  team player.  Except, he felt that the Cardinals & Notre Dame should have won every game. He taught them what really mattered in this world, was Love, Faith and Family, that was his American Dream.
 
When my kids started staying home in the summer by themselves Grandma and Grandpa would come visit us in the afternoon, sometimes they played cards at the house, other times they would take them places.  When I asked why they didn't wait for me to come home, I would be told we came to be with the kids.  I was a little jealous not to be able to spend that time with them too, since I had to work.  
 
There were times I did think Grandpa might have loved his dog more, Max was always by his side, hoping to get fed.  Not sure if Max is going to make it without all the medicine grandpa took, time will tell if Max has Parkinson's or high cholesterol.
 
Everyone had theri favorite name for Grandpa, Pop, Gramps, Dad, Jimmy, Little Buddy, Jim Bob.  But the best one was Grandpa Wow Wow, when the great grandkids would give Grandpa a kiss, he would yell WOW WOW WOW.  And so that is how he came by the name Grandpa Wow Wow.
 
Dad was the most Humble man we'll ever know, he counted his riches in family and love not in material things.  He would call all of us his dividends
 
We as kids have never seen a husband love his wife as much as my dad loved my mom He set a high standard for all of us to have a great relationships.   He is an inspiration to all of us to make our relationships as good as his., the love he has shown for mom is unbelievable, Mom even though dad is in heaven you will never be alone you have all 51 of us and don't forget you got Max and your granddogs. 
Love Peggy (your favorite daughter)

Grandpa,

I do not think mere words can explain the incredible impact that you have had on my life or convey how much your kindness, compassion, support, and love has meant to me throughout my life.  

I learned from you what it means to be kind, loving, compassionate, and supportive.  I use these skills everyday in my work with kids who did not receive the love and support that I did.  I think of you often when I work with these kids and hope I can pass along to them what you have given me.  I know that I will never become wealthy in my chosen career path, however; I know that I am rich from following your example and helping change the lives of kids one at a time.

Thank you for your laughter, thank you for your beautiful voice, thank you for your kindness, thank you for your support, thank you for your compassion, thank you for your love and showing me by example what it truly means to love.  But most of all thank you for being my Grandpa.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Love Always,

Jamie Lynn

I doubt anyone has smiled as much as Grandpa Ellison, and I know no one could have said "I love you" more. 

I remember that when I graduated from college, he gave me this piece of advice: "retire early." He knew how to enjoy life, and by doing so, he helped others to do the same. Grandpa Ellison will be missed.

Grandpa Ellison was always happy, especially when kids were around.

Dad, you and Mom have always been there for us, and you will remain in our hearts forever.  Your kind, loving and gentle way has affected everyone who was fortunate enough to know you.

Our childhood memories remind us that we were truly the richest kids in the world.  The love, guidance and attention that you and Mom bestowed upon Jim, Barb, Kathy, Steve and Peggy planted the seed for us to continue your legacy.

The Jimmy Ellison philosophy of respect for life, having faith in God, and Love of Family will be passed on for generations to come.

We enjoyed all of our Family vacations as kids.  We truly enjoyed our escapades to Las Vegas, where you danced with your "Best Gal" at the Riviera on Western Night at one of my Conventions; let the kids cover you with sand on the sandy beaches of Florida; and our trips to Branson for you to show Andy Williams how to sing!!!

We have been very blessed and will be praying to you every day to keep a special eye on Mom, who misses you so much, and keep watch on the five of us and our Families.

Miss you Dad!!!!

Love Forever,
Kathy

I have met many people in my life who have contributed great attributes into creating the person I am today, but nothing compares to the inspiration I have received from the love of my grandfather. His ability to love was not only unconditional but the purest of love. His gift has taught me how to express my love daily, by telling love ones “I love them” and how a smile can brighten any day. I will miss walking in the kitchen and being greeted by his signature smile and followed by the words; “I love you” and “You are so beautiful” but because of the repetition, I will never forget.

There are so many great memories I have of my grandparents. I had a blessed childhood filled with wonderful adventures at the lake house, and later amazing trips to Florida. I know grandpa was always proud of me, but my decision to move to sunny Florida at 19, gave me the motivation to pack up & do it. 

While on my own, in a new state, I never felt too far from home. Grandma & Grandpa would visit me often, and even stock my refrigerator with grandmas delicious stroganoff and milk. Then, after they took me and my roommates out to eat, grandpa would secretly slide me a handful of cash, insisting I take it. His generosity will never be forgotten and his ability to provide for his family extended all the way to me and continued on. 

I am grateful to my grandfather for many things, but mostly because of his example, I knew exactly what kind of man I wanted to marry. 

A man who loves unconditional. 
A man who is generous with everything he has. 
A man who is an amazing provider. 
& a man who can light up a room with a smile.

If this world had more people like my grandfather, there truly would be peace on earth.
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
Thank you Grandpa!
XoXo
Kelly Evers

Barb,
Thanks for posting all the wonderful pictures.  Uncle Jim had a way of making every one around him feel better about themselves and life in general.  Uncle Jim and Aunt Loretta had such a wonderful relationship and they passed that on to their children and everyone that touched their lives.  I was privileged to have Uncle Jim in my life.

For Dad not having much of a formal education was not a burden for him, he still was the smartest man I ever met. Thank God he married the smartest and sweetest woman. These two people were far ahead of their time. They did not need society to change, to know what was right and wrong, and teach us kids. It always was amazing and simple that respect for other people was a part of their daily lives. We were told how wrong it was to have segregated bathrooms, water fountains, restaurants etc... when Florida vacations took us through the southern states that were struggling with simple concepts of all  being equal. My fun story of Dad is one Saturday when we were young, Dad was working around the house, and he was carrying a small transister radio listening to his beloved Cardinals. In his travels around the house the radio was missing. Their were five of us kids, so Dad was irritated, "who took the radio, you kids know I enjoy listening to the game." Of course 5 "not me's" was heard from all. Dad was still looking when I opened the refrigerator door to Harry Carey talking about the game. i told Dad his ship came in we have a refrigerator that not only had a light, but also a radio. Our sense of humors thrived under his care, which could be turned on him. Dad always said his ship would come in, he told Mom everyday he loved her, and knew he hit the jackpot. After Nick and I got married we were driving to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland at the invitation of the army. Along the way the car broke down. Nick came and asked me what we should do, told him he'd have to ask my Dad. Dad always took care of the problems. Dad always made us feel protected and loved. Missing your sweet smile Dad, but I can feel you all around, and I will look for you within the love you left us, in the smile of my kids, and grandkids, in Jim's humor, Pegs laugh, Kathy trying to make all happy, Steve's sharing, neices, nephews, and greats. Love you Dad.

Grandpa Ellison taught me to live, love and learn everyday.  Whether it was the stories of his time at St. Phillips or how an old railroad spur in Southern Illinois transformed into Camp Ondessonk, he reminded me to live life in service of others, love family with all my heart and treat the world as a classroom.--- Wow Wow Wow!

My brother said it best. Grandpa Ellison gave us all so many memories and values to live by. Grandpa will always stay with us as a reminder of how to live a fulfilling life.

Sean and I always had so much fun spending time with Grandma and Grandpa down in Florida. We would catch lizards on the screened in porch, pick fruit from the backyard, relax in the hot tub with grandpa and fish in a nearby pond where we would see the occasional alligator. Thank you for all the love and memories Grandpa.

We love you Grandpa Ellison. Your smile will be missed!

My father in law was a great teacher of what values in life are important. 
Faith: Something he not only talked about, but lived it every day of his life.
Family: Something that he valued deeply. Nothing gave him more pleasure and pride then the many achievments of his children, grand children and his great grand children.
Friends: His friendly smile and genuine personality always made his friends feel that his love was genuine. 
I feel blessed to have known him and loved him.
Tom Gillum--Part of his extended family

Loretta and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Jimmy was the best. Sorry I wasn't able to attend the services, as I heard they were wonderful. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mary Flatley Tajkowski

Ellison Family, We are very sorry to hear about Mr. Ellison's death.  He was so proud of his family and always opened the door to his home to all. We remember Steve always said his dad looked at the world through rose colored glasses.  We would be at the funeral home except Tim, Colleen and I are all down with the flu.  Please accept our sympathy.

Sending my condolences.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Ellison are remembered for their hard work and tremendous dedication to St. Philip parish, especially all the sports programs.  I am very sorry for your loss.  I hope all the memories you have of Jim, Sr. will sustain you through your grief.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peggy your parents were a lovely couple.  My prayers are with you and your family.

I'm so sorry for your loss. i remember him as a child he was so good to the Van Hoose family. My you find peace. Janet Van Hoose lomax

You dad was a great man. I remember him as a child he was aways good to the Van Hoose family. I'm so sorry for your loss. Janet Van Hoose Lomax

Loretta, Jim, Barb, Kathy, Steve, Peggy,  I am so sorry for your loss.  My memories of Mr. Ellison is of that huge smile and always expressing interest in my life.  He made me and everyone, I would imagine, feel special and loved.  I will miss seeing him at Kathy and Tom's table when I visit.  I will treasure the memories, and hope that they bring joy to you, also.  Judy Fihn and family.

OBITUARY

James V Ellison Sr.

July 19, 1924 – December 24, 2011

Lake View Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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