Raymond Glen Ellison

Raymond was born in Monroe, Michigan, on August 4, 1937, and stayed there until he joined the Navy. He and his best friend since grade school joined the Navy together. He loved being a sailor and spent most of his service time at sea. Retiring after 21 years of excellent and honorable service, Raymond, his wife Patricia and their three children moved to Minnesota. Education was very important to Raymond and he graduated from Winona State University with his Master’s Degree in Social Work. Moving to Michigan, to be closer to his aging parents, he worked at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. While at work he met his great love, a nurse, Diana Joy Kloosterman. After a whirlwind courtship they were married on June 28, 1985. Their life and love together was strong and full of joy and laughter. Raymond retired in 1998 and began building incredible wooden model ships. He would spend hours tying the rigging for these small vessels. He loved walking his dogs and playing with them.

His beloved wife, Diana Joy Kloosterman Ellison, survives him as do his children and grandchildren, Roberta and Jay Haynes, (Ashley Briggs, Cassandra Costley, and Blake Museta), Martin Ellison and Kristen King, (Alex, Tricia, Jake, Jared and Summer), Raymond and Tammy Ellison, (Justin and Devin). He also survived by several great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He loved deeply and had a very special relationship and love with some very special nieces and nephews. They were an important part of his life. Nephew Spencer and Katie Burk and their children Addison and Parker filled his heart with love, joy, laughter and peace. He was so very proud of his nieces Sheana Burk, Ariana Burk and Aubry and James Bailey, and loved them very much. Raymond’s parents, Glen and Fannie Ellison, and brother, Gary Ellison, predeceased him.

Thank you to all our family and friends and a great big hug and thanks to Hospice of the Valley, nurse Jeri and CNA Ariana, who helped enhance his last months with us.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 10:00am and funeral service at 11:00am located at Chapel of the Chimes, 7924 N. 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. Committal service will follow at 12:30pm located at Veteran’s National Memorial Cemetery of AZ, Phoenix. Please visit www.chapelofthechimesmortuary.com to leave a tribute to Raymond and his family.