James "Jim" Russell Ellison's Obituary
James "Jim" Russell Ellison, 83, went to be with the Heavenly Father on Monday, June 17, 2024 while at his home in Charleston, IL surrounded by his children. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL. Masonic Services will be conducted by members and guests of Charleston Masonic Lodge # 35 A.F. & A.M. at 7:00 p.m. following the visitation. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Adams Funeral Chapel with Pastor Gary Stephen and Pastor Patrick Powers officiating. Burial with Military Rites will take place in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleson, IL following the service.
Jim was born July 20, 1940 in Mattoon, Illinois the son of the late Frank ('63) and Juanita (Gillespie) ('76). Jim was a father to three children. His daughter, Jodie Ellison (1971), Charleston; daughter Jana (1972) (Mark) Gruber, Dayton, Ohio, son Jared Ellison (1976) Savoy. Jim was grandfather to Jared Bingaman of Charleston, Jillian and Mitchell Gruber of Dayton, Ohio, and Avery and Harper Ellison of Savoy. Jim was brother to Joanne Burtness of Poplar Grove, uncle to Doug and Brad Burtness, and family in heart, Jodie Andrys of Downers Grove.
Jim was a 1958 graduate of Charleston High School. The CHS Class of '58 classmates maintained a close relationship and grew together even more over the years. Following graduation, he served with the Army National Guard. Jim first worked for Moore Farm Buildings. He retired from Central Illinois Public Service Company (CIPS) after 37 years starting as a meter reader and then as a gas journeyman. Jim was a full-time and dedicated landlord for more than 50 years as he took great pride in the apartments that he built, owned, operated, and kept up maintenance as if they were his own home.
Jim attended Loxa Presbyterian Church in Loxa, Illinois where he served as an elder. He was a lifetime member and Past Master of Charleston Masonic Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M., where both his father and son were Past Masters as well as a lifetime member of Valley of Danville Scottish Rite.
Jim was a caring and compassionate person who took great pride in his children and loved being Grandpa and Papa to his grandchildren. He was especially close with his grandson Jared who was a very close buddy from the time Jared could walk. They went to coffee, mowed, worked on his apartments together, attended EIU basketball games, and enjoyed eating at their "go-to places." He enjoyed collecting painted saws. Jim had an affection for Hallmark Christmas ornaments. He had 6 Christmas Trees that he would fill with ornaments and welcome people into his home to look at the trees. He always used the funny papers he collected throughout the year to wrap presents for his children and grandchildren. Jim truly appreciated people and enjoyed interactions with friends, people he knew, and people he just met.
After retiring, he would take people to doctor appointments and was a mainstay at coffee for the company and interaction with others. He was a tireless worker at home, where he would work in his garden, mow, maintain his apartments, and always find something to keep him busy. Jim was a dedicated member of the METS walking program at EIU for many years where he would get up and walk three days a week at 5 a.m. He valued the opportunity to walk and talk with the graduate students who participated in the program. His personal favorites included peanuts, watermelon, popcorn, fried green tomatoes, and blackberry pie which he made using berries he picked in his woods. Jim always had a penchant for working puzzles and later enjoyed crossword puzzles when he was not able to get out and about.
His humor was maintained up to the very end as he continued to joke with nurses, EMTs, and family members. Jim was a sports fan--he enjoyed seeing the Cubs win the World Series, was a season ticket holder for EIU basketball since 1971, started watching the Bulls to follow Ayo Dosonmu, watched his granddaughter's softball games when he was able, and had memories of attending the Indianapolis 500 for quite a few years, Major League Baseball Games to watch Marty Patton and other professional sporting events with his son Jared.
It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in his honor be made to Camp New Hope Adopt a Camper Scholarship Fund, 1364 C.R. 100 E., Neoga, IL 62447 or Charleston Masonic Lodge #35, 651 W. Lincoln Ave., P.O. Box 203, Charleston, IL 61920. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or mailed in the care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
Jim was a friend to many and was a kind-hearted generous person. He will be missed. A very special thank you to Marilyn Ellison, Mark Cobble, Ron Croy, Greg Juriga, Gary Stephen, and Patrick Powers for being there for the family.
To view the obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com. Adams Funeral Chapel of Charleston, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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