James William Ellis, Sr.

James W. Ellis, Sr., 84, of Goshen and formerly of New Paris, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2015 at IU Health Goshen Hospital. He had been in failing health the past three years. He was born September 3, 1931 in Keenes, Illinois to Arthur and Mamie (Williams) Ellis. On March 13, 1948 he married Imogene M. Lane in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She died August 18, 2010. Mr. Ellis is survived by his son, James W. (Debora) Ellis, Jr. of New Paris; four grandchildren, Angela (Lenny) Krebs of New Paris, Kimberly (Travis) Saul of Goshen, Amy (Tyler) McCart of Dacula, Georgia and James W. Ellis, III of North Hollywood, California; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Patricia Ellis of Watson, Illinois and three brothers, Harold Ellis of Phoenix, Arizona and Arthur and Darrel Ellis, both of Peoria, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his wife; a sister, Mary Donoho and a brother, Gib Ellis. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Ellis graduated from Indiana State Teacher's College in 1962 and earned his master's degree from Western Michigan University in 1966. A New Paris resident since 1962, Mr. Ellis worked as a teacher and guidance counselor at Elkhart Township Junior High, Towncrest Junior High and Goshen Middle School until retiring in 1993. He attended Benton Free Baptist Church and more recently Nappanee Missionary Church. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed being a part of the New Paris coffee group. Friends may call Wednesday, October 28, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where a 10 a.m. funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, October 29, 2015. Burial will follow in New Paris Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Nappanee Missionary Church.