Frederick R. Ellis, Jr., 80
Frederick R. Ellis, Jr., age 80, of Plover, died on August 10, 2018, at the Portage County Health Care Center.
Fred was born April 8, 1938, to the late Frederick and Dorothy (Jeavons) Ellis in Norristown, PA. He grew up in Reading, Penn., and graduated from Reading Senior High School in 1956.
He was inducted into the U.S. Navy on July 7, 1956. During his time of service, Fred served on the USS Venture. He was honorably discharged on July 6, 1960.
Following his time of service, Fred settled in Waukegan, Ill. He drove bus until becoming employed with Abbot Laboratories in the boiler room. While living in Illinois, Fred married and had a son. He later remarried and adopted a daughter and a so, and fathered a son. They later divorced.
He moved to Burlington, Wis., where he became a truck driver and instructor truck driver for Dean Food. He later began driving for Transtar.
Fred married Marilyn J. Reid on May 24, 1987, in Meehan Church in Plover.
They lived in Burlington and in 1998 they moved to Watertown, Wis., where they owned and operated the Flags Inn Motel. Fred and Marilyn lived there until they decided to retire and sold the motel. They moved to Plover in 2008.
Fred will be remembered for his cheerful nature and ability to speak Pennsylvania Dutch. He had a colorful sense of humor and a notable singing voice. Fred loved to sing and enjoyed singing for the residents of numerous nursing homes. Whenever Fred was in public, he would always find a golden opportunity to carry a tune or sing a note. If he wasn’t singing in public, Fred would also find the perfect moment to offer a creatively constructed platitude to friends, family, and strangers alike. Fred’s playful nature always sought the opportunity to hand out “kindness coins” to those who were caught being good. His jovial and loud voice made him the perfect candidate to help out Santa every year. He was certainly, one of a kind.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Ellis; children, Gary (Sue) Ellis, Jeffrey Ellis, F. Stacey Ellis, Sherri Ellis, Robin (Ted) Oldenburg, and Cheryl (Jason Wrobel) Vaughn; grandchildren, Dustin, Collin, Jeffrey, Jessica Noel, Jessica (Kevin) Spitzer and Colton; great-grandchildren, Dustin Jr. and Lydia; and niece, Kristin; and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Edith; and brother, R. Teddy.
A Funeral Service will be held 3 p.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at Highland Church with Rev. Nathan Schroeder presiding. A time of Visitation and Sharing of Memories will precede at the church from 2 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will be held in Meehan Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial may be made to Highland Church. Online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.
Boston Funeral Home
Celebrating Life & Cherishing Memories
715-344-4223
