DOVER Rev. Ralph A. Ellis, slipped quietly into the arms of his savior on Monday, March 27, 2017 in the Milford Center, Milford. He was 86.
Rev. Ellis was born on June 8, 1930 in Blackwood Terrace, New Jersey, son of the late Ralph and Lenore (Brezaski) Ellis.
His studies included degrees from Kings College, University of Delaware and his Seminary Degree and Master of Sacred Theology from Temple University in Philadephia, PA. He was a Methodist minister and over the years the churches he served included Holly Oak in Wilmington, Wesley in Georgetown, Richardson Park in Wilmington, St. John's in Seaford, and St. Mark's in Wilmington where he retired in 1998.
After retirement, he served as Interim minister at Ebenezer in Newark, First Methodist in Chestertown, MD, and Calvary in Marydel, MD.
During his ministry of 57 years, he served on numerous committees of the Peninsula conference. He also chaired the board of ordained ministry.
During his college years he sang with a quartet "The Musical Ministers" which toured the United States and Jamaica.
His passions included singing, golf and woodworking. He also loved to travel.
Rev. Ellis is preceded in death by two sisters, Lenore Ellis and Isabelle Wilt.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Veda Ellis; a daughter, Brenda Ellis Gillis (Kevin) of Wyoming; and a son, Timothy Ralph Ellis (Ezel) of Burke, Va.; grandchildren, Kevin Joseph Gillis, Jr. (Kayla Martell) of Wilmington, Andrew Ellis Gillis and his fiancé Katie Dodge of Dover, Timothy Ralph Ellis, Jr. and Colby Turan Ellis both of Burke, Va.; and a great grandson, Kenton Joseph Gillis.
A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Barratt's Chapel, 6486 Bay Rd., Frederica, DE.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimer's Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, PO Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950 or The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 123, Dover, DE 19903-0123.
Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com