Ellis 'Alabam, ' Donald R.

Donald R. Ellis “Alabam,” 79, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at the Iowa City VA Health Care System. Memorial Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a gathering of family and friends one hour before the service. Military honors by American Legion Post 727.

Survivors include his children, Larry (Joyce) Petersen, Becky Hewitt, Cindy Petersen (Richard Schmidt), Scott Ellis (Marty Brady), Sherri (Duane) Wesbrook and Lynette (Cris) Fuller; son-in-law, John Frazier; brothers, Jim Ellis and Bob (Gail) Ellis; 14 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and his dog, Daisy.

Donald was born Oct. 8, 1932, in Kellerman, Ala., the son of Luther and Leona (Gleason) Ellis. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne. Donald was proud to be a member of Laborers Local 43.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his life partner, Thelma Petersen Ellis, who passed on April 18, 2012; sisters, Phyllis and Mary Jo; brothers, Jerry and Tom; and daughter, Sandy Frazier.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Donald “Alabam” at www.stewartbaxter.com.

Published Sept. 17, 2012 in The Gazette