Henry “Hank” Ellis, 89.92 years old, of LaPorte and formerly of Chicago, died peacefully as the result of natural causes on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in LaPorte.
He was born Feb. 23, 1922, in Chicago to John Egielski and Anna Gwozdz.
Hank graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree and worked as a supervisor in the Electromotive Division of General Motors in Chicago area plants. He also served his country during World War II in the U.S. Coast Guard. Hank was devoted to caring for his chronically ill wife until her passing in 1998. He did volunteer work with Meals on Wheels. Hank was an avid league bowler, golfer, fisherman and birdwatcher. He was a Scrabble and crossword puzzle fan and loved playing the harmonica.
On Nov. 15, 1947, in Chicago, he married Dorothy Bojnowski, who preceded him in death in 1998.
Also preceding him in death were his parents and his siblings Eleanor, Josephine and Louis.
Surviving are his children, Dr. John Ellis of Willowbrook, IL, Andrea “Andi” LeDonne of LaPorte, and Celeste Ellis Whiting of Northampton, MA; grandchildren, Alexander LeDonne, Jessica Johnson, Jeffrey Ellis, Christina Martin, Jeremy Whiting, Julia Whiting, and Ben Sciaki; great-grandchildren, Natalie, Claire and Ella Johnson, Chloe LeDonne, and Stetson Martin; sister, Helen Jablonski; and many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, LaPorte, beginning with military honors. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday one hour prior to the service.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.
