Donald J. Ellis

Donald J. Ellis was born on February 16, 1939, to the late John Jaffus and Fannie Mae Ellis in Blairsville, PA. He was very active in Blairsville High School sports that included the discus throw. He was a star fullback that earned him a scholarship to Kansas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
He loved people and loved talking. He enjoyed working for the City of Akron Health Department as a Sanitarian, a job that required lots of interaction with the public and his co-workers. A job he thoroughly enjoyed until retirement in 2003.
He had a massive stroke in November 1995. Those were “touch and go” times for him and his family members and friends. He was a determined man and eventually went to rehab and ultimately returned to work until retirement.

He was an avid sports fan of the Cleveland Browns, the Tribe, and the Cavs. In his younger years, he was the big fisherman that enjoyed cruising in his white Corvette. He was an excellent cook of certain foods, namely: ribs, lobster, crab legs, scallop casserole, and homemade dinner rolls, topped off with one of his favorite scotches–Cutty!
Donald and Mary celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on June 29th with their sons J. Russell and David and grandson, Jakob.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald, Jr; brothers, Herman, Sr, and Robert, Sr.; sister, Mae Patterson.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, J. Russell and David; grandson, Jakob; nephew, Herman Ellis, Jr., of Chico, CA; sisters-in-law, Lilly Ellis of Johnstown, PA, and Ora Baines of Fairlawn, Ohio, and a host of many special nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Grace Hospice of Uniontown, Ohio for two heavenly sent angels: nurse Christine and aide Robin Ryan. May God bless them forever and ever.