Richard “Dick” G. Ellis III, age 79 of Clare, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 19, 2024 at home. Dick was born the son of Richard Ellis II and Muriel Engelston on August 31, 1945 in Oswego, NY. He served in the Vietnam War in the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines; the unit was nicknamed “The Walking Dead” due to their high casualty rate. Upon returning from Vietnam he was united in marriage to Victoria “Vicky” Eberhart on March 8, 1968. He and Vicky moved to Clare from Lansing in 1984. Dick had worked as a welder for Morbark Manufacturing; retiring in 2009. Following his retirement Dick became very active at the Clare/Farwell American Legion where he became Sergeant at Arms, commanding the Post’s Honor Guard from 2010 until last year. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. When his sons were younger, Dick was active in the Boy Scouts where he enjoyed being their troop master. Dick had been a friend of Bill W. for the last 43 years.
Dick is survived by his wife Vicky; sons Chris (Leann) Ellis of Mt. Pleasant and Matt (Tina) Ellis of Clare; his sisters Kathy (Edward) Ellis, Tina Arcadi, and Terrie Cooper all of Oswego, NY; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son Richard G. Ellis IV in 2014.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Clare Farwell American Legion where his family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be directed to Vicky Ellis for a donation to be made to a local charity at a later date. Arrangements were handled by the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com
