Aug 12, 2002 2 min read

Robert H. “Duke” Ellis Sr., 75, of Detroit, Mich., Fort Benning, Ga., and also formerly of Oliphant Furnace, Pa., departed this life on Friday, Aug. 9, 2002. He was born Aug. 21, 1926, in Uledi, Pa., son of the late Homer W. and Ruth Thomas Ellis.

Duke served in the U.S. Navy, 3rd Class Aviation Metal Smith, and also in the U.S. Army as a Buck Sergeant from 1944-1953, and later received a Disability Retirement. He worked for Ford Motor Company of Detroit, Mich., for 35 years as a skilled trade mechanic. He belonged to the 24th Infantry Regiment Association, and the Rolling Wheels R V Club and Family Motor Coach Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Claretta M. Robinson Ellis; and four brothers, Russell, Wilbert (Skinny), Dewayne and Theodore Ellis.

Surviving are one son, Robert H. Ellis Jr., and wife, Phyllis and a granddaughter, Jennifer Ellis, all of Detroit, Mich.; sisters, Roberta Boutsillis and Pat Thompson and husband, Carl; one brother, Donald Ellis and wife, Marion of Harrisburg, Pa.; a sister, Dorothy Ellis of Washington, D.C.; sisters-in-law, Barbara “Bobbie” Sewell, Mozina and Joy Ellis and Geraldine Breaux, all of Detroit, Mich.; brother-in-law, Ronald “Jap” Robinson of Uniontown, Pa.; one god-daughter, Bonnie Ann Fields of Fairchance, Pa.; other nieces, nephews and friends from Kansas City, and R V Club friends; and a special friend and caregiver, Dorothy Mills Linton of Uniontown, Pa.

Friends will be received in the MURIEL E. LANTZ FUNERAL HOME, 297 East Main St., Uniontown, Pa., today from 6 to 9 p.m., where services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Robert Crable officiating, assisted by the Rev. Ron Matthews and the Rev. Ludwell D. Wiley. Entombment will be in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, Pa.