Harlan Daniel Ellis

February 19, 1926 - July 3, 2019

Facebook

Greenlawn Funeral Home East

3540 East Seminole

Springfield, Missouri 65809

(417) 887-6565 |

Tuesday 7/16, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Greenlawn Funeral Home East

3540 East Seminole

Springfield, Missouri 65809

(417) 887-6565 |

Tuesday 7/16, 2:00 pm

Harlan D. Ellis, D.V.M. passed away in Springfield, MO on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the age of 93. He was born in Kansas City, Kansas to Daniel Delos and Viola Amelia (née Swanson) Ellis. After graduating from Wyandotte High School in KCK in 1943, he began his studies at Kansas State University, where he played one season and lettered as a guard on the college football team as a 17-year old. Upon turning 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and went on to serve in the 9th Infantry Division, 60th Infantry Regiment, I Company. During the war, he was a scout for his platoon in Germany. After his military service, he returned to K-State where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1950. He served for more than 30 years in the USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service, culminating in his final post as Area Supervisor overseeing meat inspection for the State of Missouri.
Doctor Ellis was involved in writing a chapter in Practices in Vet. Public Health and Preventive Medicine in the US; he was Chapter President, National Assn. Retired Fed. Employees, 1984-88, Chapter Service Officer, 1989. He received Certificate of merit, Consumer Mktg Serv., USDA, Wichita, 1968; Certificate of Merit, Consumer Mktg. Serv. USDA, MO, 1969; Award for Superior Services, Sec. of Ag. Hardin, Washington, DC, May, 1970; Certificate of Appreciation, Food Safety Quality Serv., 1982. He was a member of Masonic Lodge; Shrine (Abou Ben Adhem); Eagles; American Legion; VFW; AVMA; Mo VMA; Natl. Ass. Fed. Veterinarians.

Military Service: PFC, US Army, 1944-46, serving with the 9th infantry division in Europe receiving the bronze star, combat infantry badge, and 3 battle stars; 1st Lt., Vet. Corps, 1951; Reserves, 1950-58.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Delos Ellis and Viola Amelia (Swanson) Keller, by his wife of 43 years, Velma Lorene (Butler), and by his son Harlan D. Ellis, Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Sharon (Curtis) Bock and Karen Lorene Ellis; his step-sons, Norman (Cindy) Baldwin and Richard Baldwin; his five grandchildren, Ryan (Greta) Ellis Bock, Rachel (Jason) Amelia Bock Dixon, Greg (Tammy) Baldwin, Ashley Baldwin, and Jennifer (Robert) Sederburg; and his great-grandchildren, Eliot Bock, Gillian Bock, Taylor Baldwin, and Addie Sederburg.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East with interment following at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 pm prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or to the Excellence in Veterinary Medicine Scholarship V93920, care of KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Avenue, Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Greenlawn

Light a candle Light a candle

Flowers & Gifts

Arrangements starting at $35

Greenlawn Funeral Home East

3540 East Seminole

Springfield, Missouri 65809

(417) 887-6565 | Map

Tuesday 7/16, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Send Flowers & Gifts

Greenlawn Funeral Home East

3540 East Seminole

Springfield, Missouri 65809

(417) 887-6565 | Map

Tuesday 7/16, 2:00 pm

Send Flowers & Gifts

See Condolences

Thank you to all for your kind words and expressions. Dad will be dearly missed by us all. Karen Ellis, daughter.

A great man I will forever be indebted to for always encouraging learning and education. Grandpa Harlan was the first person I ever knew who went to college, it was a bonus that he went to Veterinary school. While that young girl who always wanted to be a veterinarian grew up and chose another path his confidence in me and his encouragement drove me to attend college and even obtain my Master's degree. I am so thankful for the seed of learning that he planted in me. It's something I also hope to share. Harlan was a man of good conversation with a smile always ready and a roll of quarters for me when I was in high school and college, "just in case I wanted a soda". I feel honored to have had him in my life. I'm sending my love and prayers to all his friends and family.

My deepest condolences to Sharon and Karen and Norman and Cindy Baldwin and family. The times I worked with your dad we had a lot of laughs and I really enjoyed his company, he will be missed greatly. Sandy Roush

Dear Friend and Neighbor, We will miss you being our neighbor we will remember your kind ways. 13 years ago you helped Helen dig a hole in our backyard to have a Evergreen tree planted, today it is 20 to 25 feet tall. David and Valma were our supervisors, we did good. Many times over the years you were called to help with David's heart issues. He would listen to you, every time I would ask for your help your anwser was always the same. "You bet! Be right there." Our heart felt sympathy to the family. Rest in peace our friend. David and Helen Ballew

Harlan, was an honorable man, full of laughter who always enjoyed a good joke .He was a brilliant political analysis, an accomplished scientist, and a wonderful attentive cousin. He loved his family and was most proud of all their accomplishments. I will miss him dearly. I hope time will quickly ease the sadness of his passing and leave his immediate family , only with happy memories. To use his own works, "Here's look'in at you kiddo!" With my Warmest love and sympathy, Joann Franklin-Knox

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Dr. Harlan was one of the brightest, funniest, most nature loving persons that I have ever met..His love was evident for his flowers, birds and any other tiny creature that might venture into his yard.His love for his children and grand children was evidenced by the pictures he displayed proudly..I was Blessed to have been able to care for him for almost 3 years as a member of Visiting Angels..He shared his love for music and his #1 sport=Base Ball..We read the Bible together and challenged one another's knowledge of certain scriptures..I feel honored to have had the opportunity to serve him up to his last days.."REST IN PEACE MY DEAR FRIEND!!"

Dr. Ellis was my supervisor for many years, a very professional and nice person.

When my father was coming out of anesthetic from surgery, my husband Curtis was there. Harlan asked him, who were the mighty men of David? We found that the mighty men were referenced in the last words of King David, which are found in Samuel 23. 2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. And so was my father to me, a rising sun, a morning without clouds, a tender grass springing out of the earth, ever renewing, like a clear shining after rain. God Bless my dear Dad. He is irreplaceable. I am so grateful that I had him

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.

View Blog

Like us on

Harlan Daniel Ellis