Robert Ellis

Robert Estel Ellis, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, April 14, 2005, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Sept. 16, 1921, in Union City, Tenn., son of Thomas Edward and Minnie Jane Raby Ellis. He and Martha Barnes were married Aug. 7, 1945, in Osceola, Ark. She died Feb. 11, 1999.

Ellis had worked in a steel mill, for a motor company, and was a mechanic 30 years for a trucking company.

He served in the U.S. Army from June 24, 1942, to Nov. 11, 1944, and guarded German prisoners in Osceola.

Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Riley of Peculiar, Mo., Paula Jarnecke of Woodville, Texas; two sons, Robert Ellis Jr. of Houston, Texas, Bill Ellis of Kansas City, Mo.; two sisters, Nettie Beckett of Pevely, Mo., Evelyn Wildy of Festus, Mo.; a brother, Charles Ellis of Grass Lake, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, four brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gary Wright officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Mound City National Cemetery at Mound City, Ill.