Charles L. Ellis, 90, of Vermilion passed away Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Mercy-New Life Hospice at St. Joseph in Lorain following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Ellis was born on January 15, 1928 in Lorain to the late Edgar and Marie (nee Hauer) Ellis. He was a US Army veteran serving during World War II in occupied Japan. He was an active member of the Christian Temple Disciples of Christ, where he assisted with handyman and custodial duties for many years.
Mr. Ellis began his career at the Edgewater plant in Lorain as auxiliary tender and worked through the Operations section. He was then promoted to Plant Foreman and Supervisor from 1973 to 1977 at the new West Lorain Plant, charged with overseeing formation and beginning operations there. His career progressed to Superintendent of the Edgewater Plant until 1981 when he was promoted to General Plant Superintendent of the W.H. Sammis Plant in Stratton, Ohio. He retired from Ohio Edison in 1991 as General Plant Superintendent of the Bruce Mansfield Plant in Shippingsport, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Ellis also served as president of the local union and Chairman of the Ohio Edison Joint Council UWUA-AFL-CIO representing nine local unions for 8 years with 1600 members.
He attended Baldwin Wallace College and Lorain Community College. He was a member of the Lorain School Board and Lorain City Council, serving as chairman of the Finance and Claims Committee, served as Ward and precinct committeeman, Vice Chairman of the Lorain Central Committee and was a member of Governor Celeste’s Ohio Riverfront Task Force from 1986 to 1988.
Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife, June M. (nee Forester) Ellis, a daughter Christine (Charles) Ferraro of Weston, FL, step-daughters Pam (Del) Waldecki of Murrells Inlet, SC, Kim (Steve) Koos of Oberlin, grandchildren, Jessica (Jason) Moore, Shawn (Savannah) Ellis, Caitlin Ferraro, Alexander Ferraro, great grandchildren, Morgan Ellis, Summer Ellis, several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his sister Patricia Lou Paterik of El Paso , TX.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Jean R. (nee Breckenridge) Ellis in 1998, a son Les Ellis in 1990, brother, Edgar Ellis, Jr. and a sister Donna Jean Warrer-Boerwinkle.
Friends may call on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 from 5-8 pm in the Schwarz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5thStreet, Lorain.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Christian Temple Disciples of Christ, 940 W. 5th Street, Lorain at 10:30 am with Rev. Dr. Bradley J. Donahue, pastor of the Christian Temple, officiating.
Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain with full military honors provided by the joint Honor Guard of Amvets Post 32 and D.A.V. Post 20.
The family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Temple Disciples of Christ, P.O. Box 840, Lorain, Ohio 44052.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Charles L Ellis, please visit our floral store.