Wesley Calkins Ellis
formerly of Uniontown
Wesley Calkins Ellis, 58, of Philadelphia, formerly of Cherry Hill, N.J.; Uniontown; and Riverton, N.J., passed away suddenly Monday, July 7, 2025.
Wesley was born February 17, 1967, to Shirley Calkins Ellis and Marvin E. Ellis, Jr. in South Miami, Fla. At the age of 8 months, Wesley’s family moved to Riverton, where he began his education at the Hobby Horse Nursery School. He then attended Westfield Friends School in Cinnaminson and Riverton Public School. Wesley went on to graduate from Cinnaminson High School, followed by Penn State University and Towson University, where he earned multiple undergraduate degrees.
Following college, Wesley worked at the Goddard Space Center in Maryland as an analyst, but his passion was always in media. He worked for his family’s business, Calkins Media, over the years spending time honing his craft at their TV Stations including their ABC affiliate station, WWSB in Sarasota, Fla., and later at HSTV in Uniontown. Wes also spent several years producing programming with Nickelodeon, ultimately going on to be a founding partner in Striped Shirt Media, which specialized in video production and social media content.
Wes was a member of the Philadelphia Film Society, always willing to share his love for television and film with his family and friends.
Wesley was very outgoing and had many friends all over the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world, whom he enjoyed travelling to visit. He was an avid skier and golfer, a devoted fan of Penn State Athletics and a die-hard Philadelphia Sports fan. Wesley travelled to many places to see the Nittany Lions, Phillies, and Eagles play, and he was fortunate to be at both Super Bowl games witnessing the Eagles wins.
Most of all, Wesley was especially supportive of his nephews and nieces. He loved taking care of them, taking them on adventures and always being the “fun uncle”. Wesley was a man of many talents, loved his independence, and enjoyed sharing his zest for life with his family and many friends.
Wesley was predeceased by his father, Marvin E. Ellis, Jr.; mother, Shirley C. Calkins Ellis; and maternal aunt, Carolyn Calkins Smith.
He is survived by his siblings, Stanley Ellis and wife Sue, Bradley Ellis and wife Suzanne. Wes is also survived by his nephews and nieces, Stephen Ellis and wife Heather, Ryan Ellis and wife Caroline, Curran Ellis and wife Tess, Samantha Ellis, Kiersten Ellis, and Daniel Ellis; along with his great- nephew, Sean Ellis; and great-niece, Emmilyn Ellis. Additionally, Wesley is survived by his maternal aunt, Sandra Calkins Hardy; and maternal uncle, S.W. Calkins Jr.; as well as his paternal uncle, Wiley Ellis and wife Clare; and many extended family members and his many friends.
In keeping with his wishes, immediate remembrance services for Wesley will be held privately, with a larger event for friends and family to be scheduled this fall.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations, in his honor, to The Food Bank of South Jersey, 1501 John Tipton Blvd., Pennsauken, NJ 08110 or at www.foodbanksj.org
Condolences may be shared with his family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com