Joseph Ellis Obituary

Joseph Richard Ellis
Jeremiah 29:11-13: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Joseph Richard Ellis was born January 6, 1940, the 6th of 14 children to Charles and Sophie Ellis.
The Lord called Dad home after a long battle with COPD on July 2, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and numerous brothers and sisters.
The love of his life is Ellen, his wife of over 61 years. They met on a blind date that one of Dad's sisters arranged, and were married on May 1, 1964. Together, they had and raised two children, Robin (Jim) and Mike (Cindy). They have four grandchildren, Brett Vernon Cunningham (Tara), Leslie Anne Duckwitz (Matt), Stephanie Marie Swanson (Shane), and Sophie Jean Ellis, affectionately known as "Sophie Jean the Jellybean" by her Grandpa. Ten great-grandchildren, four sisters, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins round out the family.
Dad's life was spent in service to others. Dad always gave of himself - first, to his family, where he would send Mom, Robin, and Mike on vacation while he stayed behind to work. He was very creative and had his own small business for many years building and designing furniture and other items for his customers. In many examples, the customers he had turned into lifelong friends.
In addition to his family, Dad spent his life in service to others. He served as a long-time member of Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad, where he shared his love for others in helping them in their time of need. In doing so, Dad fulfilled the command set forth by Jesus when asked "Teacher, what is the great commandment in the law?" And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Some of my best moments with Dad were on various adventures we had together. I remember the first time he took me fishing, we caught two catfish that trip! Then, the trip that Dad and I took to visit Aunt Ginny and Uncle Ed in St. Louis – we had stops along the way to visit Great Aunt Genette in Dayton, other cousins in Illinois, and we had a great time.
Then there was the time that Dad and I went camping down the Skyline Drive. I remember we were so gung-ho about camping – Dad probably more so than I, truth be told – and he was looking for campgrounds along the Drive at places like Bear Den Mountain and so forth. We spent three nights camping; the first night, we must have walked at least a ½ mile in the mountains to get to the campsite we selected. That meant it felt like at least a mile back to the car the next morning! Then, for night two, we were closer to the car but still had to hike up the side of the mountain to get to our location. Lastly, the third night, we parked and had a campsite location right by our car! What a great memory, though.
The best thing that I can say about Dad is this: His love for his family surpasses the passing of time. He loved us when we were knuckleheads, he loved us as adults, he loved his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and he loved Mom day in and day out. He will love her - and all of us - for all eternity.
At the end, it is the words of the Apostle Paul that bring us peace. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul writes: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
In his own way, that is what Dad did – he fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. May we all live secure in knowing that God is there for us, holding us close.
Services will be held privately by the family.
In lieu of flowers, please join us in donating to the Blue Ridge Care Center, https://brhospice.org/donate/
any charitable organization that you desire, whether it be your local Rescue Squad, Hospice Center, or any other worthwhile cause.