James A. Ellis

July 15, 2015

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James A. Ellis 85, of Frankfort, IN, died at 3:38 p.m. July 15, 2015 at Wesley Manor in Frankfort.  Born June 4, 1930 in Frankfort, IN to the late James H & S. Elizabeth (Beard) Ellis.  He married Carolyn Jane Mounts on May 4, 1958 in Frankfort at the First Presbyterian Church and she survives.  Mr. Ellis was a lifelong Frankfort resident, a 1948 graduate of Frankfort High School, and a 1950 graduate of Bradley University School of Horology. A veteran, he served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1952. Jim was a jeweler and watchmaker owner and operator of the Ellis Jewelry Store in Frankfort that his father had started 99 years ago; in 1978 he purchased what is now the Ellis Jewelry Store in Lebanon, IN. He was a member of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Frankfort. His other memberships included the Moose Lodge #7, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Elks, FOP, Chamber of Commerce and Retail Jewelers Organization and the Indiana Jewelers Association. He was a former member of Rotary, Lions, Frankfort Orbiters Flying Club and Toastmasters.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 3-6 p.m. and Sunday, July 19th from 1-2 p.m. Sunday at Goodwin Funeral Home. Services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Paul Copeland will officiate. Burial will follow in Bunnell Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to First Evangelical Presbyterian Church or the Clinton County Humane Society.

Survived by:

Carolyn Ellis of Frankfort, Son: Michael J. (Dianne) Ellis of Lebanon, Daughter: Nancy D. (Rob) Williams of Crawfordsville, Sister: Mary Jo VanAntwerp of Maryland, 3 Grandchildren, Justin, Elizabeth & Sam and 2 Great Grandchildren Aiden & Austin.

Preceded by:

his parents and a brother, Robert G. Ellis.

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

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35 Condolences for “James A. Ellis”

  1. Dwayne Mounts July 16, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    Fly high Uncle Jim

    Reply
  2. Theresa Worley July 16, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    Carolyn,
    I am so sorry to see Jim’s passing. He was a wonderful man. He taught my son a lot about jewelry and when a young man should buy a girl a diamond. Dave and I considered him a good friend. He will be sorely missed by the community as well as his family and friends. You have my condolences and Prayers and Blessings to you and your family. I know what the road is ahead of you, keep the faith and know that many people love you.

    Reply
  3. Susie Plunkitt July 16, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    What a nice man. He will be missed. Prayers for the family.

    Reply
  4. Kathy Jedwabny July 16, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    Carolyn,

    I loved Him as much now as I did when Michael and I were married. He was such a kind and wonderful man and he will be missed by many. I will see you Saturday. Hopefully Justin will be able to fly home too. We love you and are here for you, always remember that.
    Love, Kathy, Brian & Cody

    Reply
  5. Phyllis and Lee Shearer July 16, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    We are so sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. Jim and my father, Orten Adair had many wonderful times with airplanes. Jim was a wonderful friend and outstanding businessman. Jim will be dearly missed. Phyllis (Adair) & Lee Shearer

    Reply
  6. Phyllis Lowery July 16, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    Carolyn and family. Jim was a very special person whom I looked up to. He was always complimenting me on my business and I will miss him.
    Phyllis
    Downtown Diner

    Reply
    • Kaye Kingma July 16, 2015 at 7:11 pm

      Sorry to hear this news.
      Prayers for you and your family. He will be
      missed by many.

      Reply
  7. Linda Shilkett Bowlin July 16, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Carolyn, Nancy, Mike and families,
    So sorry! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Linda Shilkett Bowlin

    Reply
  8. Lora & Bill Layton July 16, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    Our condolences to the Ellis Family. Frankfort has lost a special person.

    Reply
  9. Larry & Denise Bray July 16, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    Terribly sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  10. Jamie Kallay July 16, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. He made my class ring for me and he was very nice

    Reply
  11. Richelle Lutz July 16, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    Heartfelt prayers for you and your family Carolyn. He will be surely missed.

    Reply
  12. Lois Clark Rice July 16, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Carolyn, So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. My father, Roger Clark and Jim were best buds on and off the flying field. Prayers!

    Reply
  13. Mary Jane Weaver July 16, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    To all the family of Jim, your loss is so sad, not only just for you but for all of the people here in Frankfort that have called him a friend for so many years. As you well know he was such a special man, one who always greeted you with a friendly warm smile & a firm hand shake ready to be of service to everyone in any way & at any time that he could. Our town has lost a special leader in helping to make our town into what is still a work in progress. I am sad for your family, & thank you for having shared him so willingly with all of us here in Frankfort. Your family has been such a example of what we all hope to be.

    My prayers & thoughts go out to you. Jim fought a warriors battle with his health but he never gave up, still took that smile with him to his Maker. God Bless each of you. So Sincerely, Mary Jane Weaver.

    Reply
  14. Betty (Roberts) Wright July 16, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    Carolyn……….I am so sorry to hear about Jim. You will be in my thoughts and prayers through the days ahead. Love Betty

    Reply
  15. Patty Miller Vanderveer July 16, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Nancy & Rob:
    So sorry to hear of your loss but happy that you know he is in a better place where he suffers no more. I know it has been a blessing for you to be closer for both your Mom and Dad these last several months. It will be remain a blessing for you to be there for your Mom in the days ahead as they can seem longer and lonelier than ever. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers! Hoping to see you this weekend.
    Love, Patty, Mike and girls

    Reply
  16. David M. Coffman Sr. July 16, 2015 at 9:31 pm

    R.I.P. Mr. Ellis, Gone but not forgotten.

    Reply
  17. Pam “Michael” Carpenter July 16, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    Sorry for you’re loss! He was a pillar of the community!

    Reply
  18. Melissa Smith July 17, 2015 at 4:21 am

    What a wonderful man, always right there to talk to you and wanted to know exactly what you wanted. One of my absolute favorite business owners in downtown Frankfort. I will remember him through all the jewelry I have purchase over the years! My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

    Reply
  19. Doris and Mike Jackson July 17, 2015 at 9:04 am

    We are so sad to hear of the passing of our neighbor, Mr. Ellis. Thank you for all your kindness when our dog, Mocha, ran off to your home. You are in our prayers. Mike and Doris Jackson

    Reply
  20. Don and Debbie Baker July 17, 2015 at 10:11 am

    We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Ellis. He was a very kind man and will be greatly missed. A few years ago he repaired and restored a watch that was given to my husband at his graduation in 1971. Mr. Ellis smiled after checking the watch over and said that he was most likely the one that sold the watch to my husbands mother. He restored the watch back perfectly together. We will always be grateful to him and remember his kindness. Prayers for the family during the difficult days ahead.

    Reply
  21. Ronna and Keith Merrill July 17, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    My prayers to Carolyn and family. Jim was a dear friend. We will miss him.

    Reply
  22. Chuck/Tam Smith July 17, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    Many fond remembrances of Jim, our family jeweler where ever we lived and a GOOD man.

    Reply
  23. Cindy Keyes July 17, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    He will be missed tremendously! Was a very gracious, friendly man. Always enjoyed walking into the Frankfort store and seeing his smiling face.

    Reply
  24. Jerilyn Geiger July 17, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    Carolyn and family,
    So sorry about your loss. I enjoyed the video of his life. A great man!! Hope he found someone to finish restoring his plane. He was a wonderful craftsman with both jewelry and his plane.

    Reply
  25. Greg Bires July 17, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    Mike. Sorry to hear about your father. You and your family will be in our thoughts. Sincerely, your friends at Windsor Jewelry.

    Reply
  26. Everett & Nancy Emery July 17, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    To the Family of Jim Ellis, we are sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers during your time of sorrow.

    Reply
  27. Richard Everman July 18, 2015 at 8:57 am

    Carolyn, Michael and Family,

    I sold Jim merchandise for his store over the last few years and always looked forward to calling on him. He would always ask me how business was and what was going on in the industry. A more loyal and gracious man you will not find!

    Reply
  28. Cloyd Duke July 18, 2015 at 9:10 am

    Jim will be missed by family and friends. We keep Carolyn and family in our thought and prayers.

    Cloyd & Alice Duke

    Reply
  29. Lisa Erwin July 18, 2015 at 10:03 am

    Nancy and Mike: So sorry to hear of your loss. Your father had many accomplishments, faith, and service to his credit. Blessings to you and your mother. We will keep your family in our prayers.

    Reply
  30. Kipp and Roseanna Bagshaw July 18, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    Heaven gained a new Angel …. 🙂 We are so sorry for the loss of Jim. He sold us our wedding rings in 1986 and we didn’t have enough money for the set we really wanted. Jim told us to take them and just pay him how often we could since we were related… LOL Loved seeing him at our Stewart Reunions with his family and of course at the store many times as well…. He will surely be missed by so many. Carolyn you and your family are in our prayers always.

    Reply
  31. Jan McGill July 18, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    I was so honored to have known Jim Ellis for many years. He was a fine gentleman and was highly thought of by so many. He had been a friend of my parents and was always so pleasant and helpful in the store. He will be missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

    Reply
  32. Kathy Camp July 18, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    I will miss him. A great loss to our community. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

    Reply
  33. Mike Kincaid July 20, 2015 at 10:11 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Reply
  34. Sharon Watchbaugh July 22, 2015 at 9:00 am

    So sorry Carol! I always felt good when I went into the store and he was always so nice to me! My thoughts will be for you and Jim’s family!! Also for your store’s family!

    Reply

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