Colonel David M. Ellis, Ret.

Colonel David M. Ellis, Ret., 83, of Meadville, died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at his residence following a period of declining health.

He was born January 15, 1926 in Fort Riley, KS, a son of the late Murray H. and Rachel Amanda Maxwell Ellis.  He married Ruth E. “Penny” Beebe September 14, 1951 and she preceded him in death March 6, 2008.

David was a 1950 graduate of Allegheny College with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.  His working life was spent in the service to his country.  His 30-year U.S. Army military career included service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  While in the Army, he helped develop the world’s first mobile computer system and was very involved in early home computing.  Following his military career, David taught ROTC at a high school in Van Buren, Ark. from 1976 to 1981.

He was a member of Christ Church Episcopal, Meadville.

He was an active member and past president of the Crawford County Historical Society and Rotary Club of Meadville where he was also a Paul Harris Fellow.  He was an Allegheny College Torch Bearer, a member of the Board of Incorporators of Meadville Medical Center and board of directors of Greendale Cemetery Assn.  He volunteered at the Meadville Soup Kitchen for several years.  One of his favorite pastimes was sailing, which he enjoyed for many years.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan Marshall and her husband Steve of Meadville; 4 sons, James Ellis and his wife Joelle of Center Hall, Daniel Ellis and his wife Lynne of Cary, NC, Bruce Ellis and his wife Michele of Berkley Heights, NJ, and Jonathan Ellis and his wife Traci of Yuba City, CA; 13 grandchildren, Alicia, James, Jonah, Andrew, John, Michael, Erin, David, Stephen, Michael, Julia, Molly, and Maxwell; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Albert and Vincent Ellis.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

The Eucharistic Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 870 Diamond Park, Meadville with Fr. Larry Donahue officiating.

Private interment will be in Greendale Cemetery with military honors provided by Harm Jan Huidekoper VFW Post #2006.

Memorials may be made to the Meadville Soup Kitchen, 956 S. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335.