Tom Ellis

East Lansing

Age 71, passed away on Friday, May 26, 2017 at Hospice House, Lansing, MI. A proud “Thumb” native, Tom was born January 3, 1946 to Howard “Baldy” and Anne Ellis in Cass City, MI. Tom attended Cass City Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1964. In 1966, Tom married Alice Phillips and last year they were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Tom was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Army 1967-1969. After his discharge from military service, he returned to his studies and graduated from Michigan State University.

Tom truly loved being outdoors, whether playing softball for over forty years, fishing in Canada for walleyes or the UP for trout, ice fishing on Horsehead Lake on his white plastic bucket, hunting deer in northern Minnesota or simply enjoying a walk through the woods on a beautiful fall afternoon (when he wasn’t sitting in Spartan Stadium cheering on his Spartans).

In 2003, Tom retired from the Department of Entomology at MSU where he spent more than 25 years. The years in Entomology were marked by friendships which have lasted a lifetime, a truly special time and special place.

Tom is survived by his wife, Alice of East Lansing; brother, John (Sally) Ellis of Eden Prairie, MN; sister-in-law, Sharon Ellis of Caro, MI; three nieces, Kelli (Wayne) Robinson of Houghton Lake, Jami Ritter of Saginaw, Terri (Michael) Fitzgerald of Port Huron and three nephews, Steven (Carmin) Ellis of Marlette, Michael (Lori) Ellis of Rapid City, SD and Andrew Ellis of Eden Prairie, MN; several great nephews and nieces, and great great as well! Tom also leaves behind a cherished group of loving, supportive friends long considered a part of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law, Mona Phillips and brother, Howard (Jim) Ellis. His domestic feline, Maggie, especially misses her nap partner.

A memorial service will be held Monday, June 12, 2017, 1:00 PM, Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, to celebrate the life of this very good man. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be held Tuesday, June 13th, 1 PM at Novesta Township Cemetery, Cass City, MI.

Those wishing to make a memorial in Tom’s name, please consider the following: Rawson Memorial Library, Cass City, MI, Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, or Ingham County Animal Shelter. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com