Ellis

James L. Ellis, 68, of Butler died Friday at the Butler VNA Inpatient Hospice.

He was born Jan. 14, 1942, in Butler, a son of the late Walter and Mary Frances Krelow Ellis.

Jim was a 1959 graduate of Butler High School.

He was a self-employed businessman. He opened his first business, Ellis Sunoco on Hansen Avenue, in the early 1960s. Jim also operated a car wash and the Dairy Shack on Hansen Avenue. In 1980, he opened Lyndora Beverage, and in 1990 he started Hansen Auto. He worked at his businesses until 2000 when he semi-retired.

Jim was very active in the Butler community. He coached Little League Baseball for Lyn Hi and won several championships. He was a member of the Butler Elks, a life member of the Moose Lodge, and was a member of the Slovak Club. He also was an original member of the Bon Aire Reunion Club.

For the past 20 years, he spent his winters at Marco Island, Fla. He enjoyed racing cars and motorcycles, and traveling to watch NASCAR races. He was a great Steelers and Pitt football fan and an avid fisherman. He took great pride in his four grandchildren, and spending time with them was his greatest pleasure.

His wife, Diane Cicco Ellis, who he married Jan. 28, 1967, survives him.

Also surviving are two sons and their wives, James W. and Alisha Ellis of Butler, and the Honorable Brian L. and Monica Ellis, also of Butler; a brother, Thomas Ellis and his wife, Marjorie Ellis, of Butler; and four grandchildren, Justin and Nathan Ellis, James W. Ellis Jr., and Ethan Ellis.

An aunt, Lydia Krelow Jamison, and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive him.

<B>ELLIS — </B>Friends of James L. Ellis, who died Friday, July 2, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, </B>201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Fr. James Murphy, pastor of St. Fidelis R.C. Church, officiating. Cremation will follow.The entire Ellis family would like to recognize Diane's brother, Michael, for his care giving during Jim's illness.The family asks that memorial donations be made to the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.