Fred Eugene Ellis

Fred E. Ellis of Poplar Bluff died Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at his home after a long illness. He was eighty-seven.

Mr. Ellis was born on September 10, 1926 here in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. His parents, Virgil E. Ellis and Mahala Johnson Ellis preceded him in death.

Fred attended and graduated from Poplar Bluff Senior High School in 1944. Mr. Ellis joined the United States Navy in 1946 and served as an electricians mate third class on several submarines during his enlistment. He was honorably discharged from service in 1954 having been awarded three service medals. Fred was subsequently employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and remained employed there for 36 years until his retirement in 1991. Fred also owned and operated the Qulin Drive Inn also known as the Little Hickory for many years, a BBQ restaurant located in Qulin Missouri.

Fred was a member of Sacred Heart Church and was active in many church activities including the Knights of Columbus in which he was a member. He was a Knight of the 4th degree. He loved cooking, gardening and his volunteer work with the knights. Mostly he loved his wife, children, and his grandchildren. He was an avid Cardinal and Ram's fan.

On April 22, 1950 he married Marie Krapf his loving wife of 62 years. They made their home in Poplar Bluff, MO, where they attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Mr. Ellis had six children, Cheri Dellinger and her husband Ron of Hilton Head, SC; Mike Ellis and his wife Janet of Memphis TN; Rob Ellis and Shawn Ellis of Poplar Bluff, MO; Jeanie DuBois and her husband Doug of Paducah, KY; Jay Ellis and his wife Shelly of Farmington, MO, ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Ellis, a sister, Shirley Crogan and one grandchild, Whitney Ellis.

A prayer service, officiated by Father Dan Hirtz, will begin at 6 pm Sunday, September 15, 2013 at Cotrell Funeral Home with visitation following until 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am Monday, September 16, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father David Hulsof officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

Memorials should be made to Sacred Heart Church of Poplar Bluff, MO, c/o Cotrell Funeral Service, PO Box 548, Poplar Bluff, MO. 63902.