Ellis O. Barber's Obituary
Ellis O. Barber, 98, DeWitt, passed away Friday afternoon, April 5, 2024 at Fieldstone – DeWitt.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ - DeWitt. Visitation will be 10:00 until service time at the church. Burial will take place in the Elmwood Cemetery – DeWitt with a luncheon to follow at the church.
Ellis Orville Barber was born April 18, 1925 at the family farm north of DeWitt, Iowa. He was the fifth of seven children, and the fifth son born to Elsie Maynard Barber and Freelan E. Barber. He attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade and graduated from DeWitt High School in 1942. After high school he farmed in partnership with his father. In 1958 he moved to DeWitt and started an insurance and real estate business. In 1965, Ellis joined DeWitt Bank and Trust Company, and was president when he retired in 1987.
Ellis married Myrtle Elizabeth Thomas on October 9, 1946, and three children were born to them—William Ellis, Dean Richard, and Janet Marie. They loved ballroom dancing and enjoyed traveling the world, visiting six continents. In retirement, they spent thirty winters in Mesa, Arizona, where Ellis was active in the Electronics Club, and enjoyed social activities.
Ellis volunteered his time and talents to the community. He was a lifelong member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, where he served on the finance and building committees. He was a member of the Masonic Lodges in DeWitt and Davenport for over 75 years. He belonged to the Clinton Scottish Rite Bodies for over 60 years, where he held the 33rd degree. As a member of the KAABA Shrine he drove patients to the Shriners Hospital in Chicago. He was a 58 year member of the Noon Lions Club. Ellis served as the first president of the board of United Manor, and he mentored small business owners through SCORE.
He is survived by his wife of 77 years - Myrtle, and their children, William of Wyoming, Dean (Mary) of Virginia, and Jan Barber-Wanek (Robert) of Davenport, Iowa, two grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Proceeding Ellis in death were his parents, brothers - William, Ivan, Harry, Clifford, and sisters Myrna and Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ -DeWitt or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The Clinton Snell-Zoring Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snell-zoring.com.
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