John Ellis

Clarence John Ellis, 73, died October 12, 2018. Clarence John Ellis was born on October 7, 1945, in Blackwell, OK to Cecil L. and Alta Ella (Randal) Ellis. He grew up in Blackwell, OK and was the youngest and last remaining survivor of 11 children; five sisters, Cecelia, Margaret, Lola, Annie, Nola and five brothers, Earl, Clay, Vern, Theodore (Ted) and Charles. Upon graduating from Blackwell High School he enlisted in the US Marines Corps and was sent to Vietnam where he served with distinction and was awarded numerous service medals including the Purple Heart. He was married to Kitty Lea England of Winfield, KS on February 16, 1968. They moved to Wichita, KS where he worked at Beech Aircraft in the experimental department for 40 years before taking an early retirement in 2007. He loved fishing and spending time with his grandkids. He was a volunteer little league football, baseball and wrestling coach after having founded the Haysville Wrestling Club with his wife Kitty. He was preceded in death by his wife Kitty (England) Ellis and youngest son Daniel Ellis. He is survived by a daughter Rhonda (Ellis) Lowden a grandson Derek Lowden and his wife Terri of Haysville, KS and their children Miya, Melodie and Andon, a son, Johnny Ellis of Augusta, KS, a daughter-in-law Amy (Smith) Ellis and a grandson Danny Ellis of Mulvane, KS. A gathering is scheduled for Wednesday, October 17 from 5 to 8 pm at the Smith Mortuary in Haysville and gravesite services are scheduled for Thursday at 11 am at the Blackwell Cemetery in Blackwell, OK.