116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Stephen James Ellis
STEPHEN JAMES ELLIS
Iowa City
Stephen James Ellis, 68, of Iowa City, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, at his home surrounded by family.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City, with the Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez officiating. A reception will follow at 4 p.m. at the Coralville American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, Steve's family requests memorials be directed toward Iowa City Hospice and the American Cancer Society.
Steve was born March 5, 1950, in Iowa City, the son of Quintin Roosevelt and Bernice Ann Ford Ellis. He was raised in Coralville, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa City High School in 1968. Steve received his associate of arts degree from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Steve spent his career painting and hanging wallpaper with Pat Harding Construction and later owned his own business, Detweiler-Ellis Wallcovering, retiring in 2012.
Steve was a musician most of his life, playing in bands such as the Downbeats, We the People, Uncle and the Anteaters and The Morning After. During the 1980s, The Morning After was named the "Best Band in Iowa" and invited to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. Steve was a two-time inductee into the 2009 Class of the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.
Steve was an avid collector of beer memorabilia and traveled to various breweriana shows throughout the Midwest. Steve was always a loyal Hawkeye fan. He was also known for making his "world famous" beef jerky.
Steve is survived by his wife, Ann Hamilton; son, Alexander (Melissa) Ellis; and daughter, Kerri (Andy) Fischels; sisters, Christy (Terry) Huntzinger and Terry (Don) Rhoades; his brother, Rick Ellis; and several nieces and nephews. Steve was a loving and proud grandfather to Elliott and Oliver Ellis. He is also survived by his cats, Big Babo and Ebony.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Quintin and Bernice Ellis.
Online condolences may be made at www.lensingfuneral.com.
Daily Newsletters