Junior Ellis, 72, of rural Calhoun, Missouri, died early Sunday morning, November 9, 2008, at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Mo.

He was born December 16, 1935 in Pattonsburg, Mo., the son of Lewis Allen Ellis and Alice Lenora (McDaniel) Ellis. On April 7, 1956, in Gallatin, Mo., he married Eunice Aleene Newman, who survives of the home.

Junior graduated from Pattonsburg High School in 1953. He was a farmer in the Pattonsburg area for many years. In 1968, he moved his family to Windsor and he began working at Parkhurst, as a welder, retiring in 1998 after 28 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and working jigsaw puzzles.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Rickey A. Ellis, and his wife Mardi, Warrensburg, Mo.; 3 daughters, Donna Sue Cooper and her husband Kenny and Anna Louella Switzer, all of Morenci, Arizona; Pam Cochran, Clinton, Mo.; 2 brothers, Carl Gene Ellis, Stanberry, Mo.; James Dale Ellis, Gallatin, Mo.; a sister, Mary Margaret Bubb, Creston, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 infant sisters.

Funeral services will be Thursday, November 13, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor, with Rev. Bill Douglas officiating. Burial will be in the Laurel Oak Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, at the funeral home. The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com