Wendell Desales Ellis

Wendell DeSales Ellis, age 87, of Meadville, went to be with his heavenly Lord and Savior on November 19, 2020.

He was a resident of Wesbury Methodist Community for the past six years with his wife, Jean (nee Stark) and she survives.  They were married for 62 years and had lived in Media, Edinboro, Zelienople, Conneaut Lake and Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Wendell was of the Catholic faith.  He was a Merchant Marine for four years and a military policeman during his time in the Korean War.  He was the owner for ten years of a Hess Service Station before being employed by Royal Globe Insurance Company as a Loss Prevention and Control Inspector.  His employment ended at age 43 when he was stricken with a stroke, which left him with speech and hearing deficits.

He was a life member of NRA and belonged to many local Sportsmen’s Clubs.  He also was a member of Active Aging and American Legion Post 205, The Jr. Chamber of Commerce and participated in over 20 Rhoads Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) programs with his wife Jean.  Wendell was very active in environmental issues and clubs and was a steward in tree and land developments attending many conferences over the years.

Family gatherings were Wendell’s time to take pride in being with his loved ones.  His pets, Frisky and Boots await him at Rainbow Bridge.  His grandchildren gave him joy in watching them grow up to be loving and caring Christian young people.

Survivors include his loving wife, whom he married on June 21, 1958, Jean Ellis; two daughters, Lauren Rafeew (Gerald) and Christine Miner (Wayne); beloved grandsons, Jacob Albert, Ryan, Alex and Derek Rafeew; beloved granddaughters, Jasmine, Sonya, and Tessa Miner; a brother, Robert Ellis; a niece, Barbara Hampton; three nephews, David (Jane), Daniel, James (Susan); several great nieces and nephews; and a cousin, Mary Scharper, Sister Annina, of The Daughters of Charity of Emmitsburg, Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his parents Inez and Frederick and two brothers, Charles and Donald.

His wishes were for cremation with a private family gathering in the future.  There was no viewing.

He was tenderly cared for by the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute for the past several years fighting a battle with Leukemia.

The family wishes to thank the Wesbury nurses staff, Lakeland Hospice staff, the many residents of Wesbury Community, the First Baptist Church of Linesville, the Meadville Medical Center’s doctors and nurses, the VNA Services, and Dr. Robert A. Bazylak and office staff for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Yolanda Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd, Meadville, Pa 16335.

Arrangements under the direction of Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville.

Please share a condolence or memory of Ellis for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.