LeRoy Edward Ellis 1902-1931

ELLIS

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 5/1/2010 at 09:32:13

Oelwein Daily Register
Oelwein, Iowa
24 Jul 1931
Page 7

Roy Ellis Killed in Wyoming

Word was received in Oelwein by Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Ellis, that their son, Roy Ellis, had been killed in an auto accident near Kemmerer, Wyoming last night. No further particulars were obtainable. Roy Ellis was employed in Oelwein at the Ford garage until six years ago, when he went west and for the past five years has been employed in the Ford garage at Kemmerer, Wyoming. He was about 29 years of age and has a number of friends in Oelwein. The body will be brought to Oelwein for burial, and further announcements will be made later.

Oelwein Daily Register
Oelwein, Iowa
27 Jul 1931
Page 5

Accident Which Killed Leroy Ellis

The body of LeRoy Ellis arrived in Oelwein and burial was made in the Fairbank cemetery this afternoon, following services at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Ellis. Regarding the accident which caused the death of Roy Ellis at Kemmerer, Wyo, the Gazette of that city has the following:

At an early hour this morning news of the untimely death of LeRoy Edward Ellis was received in Kemmerer, Deputy Sheriff Bert Clark of Tulsa notifying Coroner Ernest Edgerton, who in turn notified the Lincoln Mortuary. Mrs. Francis M. Clark, sister of the deceased was then informed of her brother's tragic death.

Little is known of the cause of the accident which caused the death of Mr. Ellis. He was traveling alone in a light coupe, evidently south bound on the Kemmerer-Big Piney highway, and from all indications the car turned over several times. The first to come upon the scene of the accident were two Chrisman boys who were returning to their home at LaBarge from Kemmerer, having passed the car going north without investigating, but not feeling satisfied they returned and found the car on its top with its lights burning, and the lifeless body of decedent some 40 feet away.

From all indications death was instantaneous. The body was bruised considerably, lacerations about the head and face, with a broken neck, one broken left leg and the right ankle sprained.

Up to the time of going to press The Gazette had been unable to view the wreck of the car, but it is reported that it was damaged considerably, both front wheels being folded under the engine. It is doubtful if the cause of the accident will ever be known. The watch on Mr. Ellis' wrist stopped at 11:45 p.m., indicating the time of the accident.

Roy Ellis, as he is familiarly known by a host of friends, came to Kemmerer in the fall of 1923 to enter the mechanical department of the Up-To-Date Auto Co., with which concern he has been continuously employed. He had served as foreman of the local garage since 1926, and as is attested by numerous car owners, was one of the best mechanics in this vicinity, always trying to give the utmost service. Above all else, Roy's employment was first, always ready, regardless of the hour, to aid a motorist in trouble. He was of a quiet, unassuming disposition and readily made friends with all with whom he came in contact. He was generous in his dealings, even to a fault.

At the time of his death, Roy was 29 years of age, having been born in Oelwein, Iowa. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Ellis of Oelwein, and two sisters, and one brother: Mrs. F. M. Clark of this city, Mrs. Gertrude Bevan, of Chicago, and Harry Ellis of Oelwein.

His family was notified of his death this morning by long distance telephone, and arrangements are being made by the Lincoln Mortuary to ship the remains to Oelwein this evening. Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Clark will accompany the body to the Iowa city, where interment will be made. The profound sympathy of this community goes out to the bereaved family of the decedent.

Oelwein Daily Register
Oelwein, Iowa
3 Aug 1931
Page 5

Roy Ellis -- Obituary

Hardly a day passes but that we are reminded that we are ever living on the border of eternity. In an instant we may have come upon an unseen fork in the road and with no time to choose be compelled to take the invisible path that takes us into the realms of the lands Beyond -- from whence no traveler returns.

Thus it came to Roy Ellis in the deep night hours of last Thursday as he was returning by auto to his home in Kemmerer, Wyoming. With hardly a second's warning he was the victim of an accident of which he could hardly have been conscious, and the message of another fatal tragedy had to be borne to stricken relatives. And so we come to this hour.

LeRoy Edward Ellis, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Ellis, was born in this city, not far from the present home of his parents on Feb. 28, 1902. He was one of five children, one brother born on Roy's eighth birthday died when 13 months old. Roy lived here for twenty-three years, the last six years of that time working in Warneke's garage as a mechanic.

In June of 1924 he went to Salt Lake City to work and in October of that year went to Kemmerer, Wyoming where he has since resided, living in the home of his sister, Mrs. Frances Clark, and working as an auto mechanic in that city. His employer has testified that he has been a most valued employee, and that while he can secure another worker, he will not easily find one to fill the place which Roy had made for himself.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his father and mother, two sisters, Mrs. Frances Clark of Wyo., Mrs. F. M. Bevan of Chicago, one brother, Harry, of this city, together with a great host of other relatives and friends.

Roy was a young man who made friends easily, and he naturally liked to be doing for others. Kindly acts were very frequent on his part. The high esteem in which he was held was very pointedly expressed by numerous friends in Kemmerer, who offered to the stricken sister and brother-in-law anything necessary to make the sad home journey easier and more comfortable. Thus can a life intertwine itself into the inner affections of others, and so the dead leave a radiant glory of hallowed influence that makes wondrously rich the sunset hour, tho the sky be filled with blackened clouds. Yes, and the glory rays will gleam down thru the days and nights to comfort aching hearts and give light on a darkened path. And may the God of all comfort breathe his blessed comfort to each of our hearts.

Funeral services were held at the parental home Monday at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. R. H. Collis. Interment at Fairbank.