Richard "Dick" Carey Ellis

Richard “Dick” Carey Ellis, 89, of Kenosha, WI formerly of Elkhart passed away on Friday July 19, 2019 at Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove, WI. Dick was born on February 26, 1930 in Des Moines, Iowa to Harold and Ruth (Carey) Ellis.  He married Jessie (Thornton) on June 30, 1980 at the Little Brown Church in Elkhart.

Dick honorably served his country in the United States Army for 35 plus years as a Special Forces Green Beret and retired as a Command Sgt. Major. Dick and his wife Jessie relocated to Elkhart , Indiana after he retired from the US Army.  He was a member of American Legion, VFW Post #360, DAV #19 Life Member, Elkhart Breakfast Optimist Club and Central Christian Church.  Richard volunteered at Elkhart General Hospital as a Red Coat for many years.   In retirement, Richard joined the Freemasons and it became his passion.  Richard was a great relationship builder, role model, coach, mentor, friend, and example for hundreds of men whom he sponsored into Freemason membership.  He was a Past Master of Tyrian Lodge #718 Free & Accepted Masons, Past Commander in Chief of the Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, Deputy’s representative Scottish Rite of South Bend,  member of Mizpah Shrine, Order of Eastern Star, White Shrine of Jerusalem, York Rite, Red Cross of Constantine, Rosicrucians, Avalon Grotto, 33rd degree association, Past president of Elkhart Shrine Club and Elkhart Scottish Rite Club, Ambassador of Scottish Rite of Elkhart County and Past Ambassador of Elkhart Mizpah Shrine, Past President of Samsar (Mizpah Shrine). Orak Shrine Associate Member. He was the recipient of the Scottish Rite 33rd degree, Scottish Rite Medal of Honor, Knights of the York Cross of Honor and numerous other awards for his exemplary service to Freemasonry and his fellow man.  Dick led by example and made real impact on the lives of others with whom he built strong lifelong relationships. 

Dick is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jessie, his children, Ilya and son-in-law Stephen Ray MD of Trevor, WI., Kathy Oliver of Norton Shores MI., Linda Hipshear (Mark) of Elkhart, Nancy Kambol (Terry) of South Bend; his grandchildren, Ilana Collinsworth, Gabriella Collinsworth, Cory Day, Dana Day Soerries (Tony), Shane Bennett (Angela), Brandon Bennett (Shante), Jeff Joers, Brook Joers Calhoun (Dustin), Lauren Hipshear; Great Grandchildren, Alexis Collinsworth, Jacob Day, Ethan Day, Tyler Soerries, Caroline Calhoun, Carson Calhoun, Avery Bennett, Noah Bennett, Jayden Bennett, and his brother William A. Ellis of Newport Beach, CA. Dick was preceded in death by his son, Richard C. Ellis, Jr.

A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at the South Bend Scottish Rite, 427 N Main Street, South Bend IN 46601 on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 7:30 PM to celebrate Dicks life. 

Interment will be private at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral home is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at the funeral home website.

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