Gerald Ellis

91 of Mesa, AZ, passed away on July 13, 2011. at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, AZ. Memorial services will be held at The Citadel, where he resided on Sat. Jul 23, 2011 at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix next to his wife Mary Elizabeth Lasley (Gilliam) Ellis who died May 2010. They were married in 1971. Mr. Ellis was born Nov. 4, 1919 in Petersburg, IN to Dora and Arthur Ellis. He was a 1939 graduate of Spurgeon High School. Gerald Ellis served in World War II under Gen. George S. Patton in the Battle of the Bulge in the European Theatre. When he returned from the war, he worked for International Harvester in Evansville, IN and later for Caterpillar in Decator, IL. He moved to Arizona and worked for Talley Defense Systems for 26 yrs. He was a member of Broadway Christian Church in Mesa where he was building committee chairman when the church was built. He was also a Deacon, Choir Director and Sunday School Teacher. Survivors include two stepsons Ken (Laura Lee) Gilliam of Mammoth Lakes, CA., Michael (Jan) Gilliam of Metaire, LA., a grandson Wayne; three nieces, Shirley (Gil) Davis of Ramona, CA; Sheri (Tom) Messerli of Maquoketa, IA; Sheila (Robert) Owens of Independence, MO; two great-nieces and one great nephew. Melchermission.com