Jack Ellis

Jack Finis Ellis, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Jan. 23, 1928, in Advance, Mo., to William and Sadie Seabaugh Ellis. He first married Evelyn McElyea in 1952 in Arkansas. She preceded him Jan. 20, 1994. He and Jewell Estes were married Oct. 4, 1987, in Clay County, Ark. She preceded him in 1997.

Jack graduated from Advance High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University before entering the Army and serving in Korea. Upon completion of his military service he used his G.I. Bill to complete his education at the University of Missouri, obtaining a bachelor's degree in agriculture.

He was a maintenance worker at nursing homes, most recently with Heartland Nursing Home in Cape Girardeau. He was of the Methodist belief.

Survivors include a son, Mark (Greta) Ellis of Naperville, Ill.; a brother, William Ellis of Seminole, Fla.; two sisters, Mary Lou Fox of Fenton, Mo., Karron Kidd of Whitewater; and a grandchild, Dylan Mark Ellis of Naperville.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Maxine Rasche.

Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Don L. Kuehle officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780. Or donations@michaeljfox.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.