As a child Ellis plowed his grandparents' North Lake farm fields with a team of horses. He quickly realized that farming just wasn't his "cup of tea". He did, however, love the pleasure of simple visits to his grandparents farm home during the Great Depression.
As World War II approached he entered Officers Candidate School. On June 6, 1944 (D-Day) Lieutenant Ellis Boyce landed at what was called the "Easy Red" Sector of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. His Joint Assault unit sustained 80% casualties. He was wounded in battle and later received the Purple Heart. He also received the Silver Star medal due to his bravery exhibited in battle. Later in the war he was involved in the invasion of the Philippins (Luzon). There his unit sustained 90% casualties and again Ellis was a survivor. After World War II Ellis was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.
On September 18, 1948 Ellis Married Lois Hollis. Together they had two sons, Alan and Floyd. Lois died in 1953. He married Elaine Schmidt on March 11, 1961. Elaine brought a son, Charley Fredette, into the family. Ellis and Elaine then had two daughters, Kimberly and Carol.
Ellis worked with his great friend and uncle, Holton Knisely, at K&E Screw Products in Dexter, MI. He became Vice-President and part owner before retiring in 1980. Ellis and Elaine enjoyed several European trips including the 50th D-Day Anniversary. They also enjoyed vacationing at their Betsie River cottage with their children and grandchildren near Frankort, Michigan. Especially memorable were mushrooming outings, trout fishing, tubing down the river and makeing apple dumplings. Ellis was known as the best fisherman along the "Old Grade Crossing" stretch of the Betsie River. Chickadees would often sit and wait on his rod and even on his eyeglasses waiting for a handful of sunflower seeds, which he kept in his pocket while fishing.
In 1993 Ellis completed a massive family history record which dates back to the Middle Ages. He was very proud of his ancestry, his family and his historical research. It took him years to complete the family history book. He was also proud of his correspondence with the late American author and historian Stephen Ambrose.
In his twilight years his daughter Kimberly and her husband, Ronen Sherman, cared for Ellis in their Ann Arbor home. Ellis was truly blessed in those years.
Ellis leaves behind Elaine, his loving wife of 50 years, his children: Charley (Barbara) Fredette; Alan (Virginia) Boyce; Floyd (Mary) Boyce; Kimberly (Ronen) Sherman and Carol Boyce. He also had the joy of 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Siblings
Dorothy Boyce LaSovage 1918-1993
Ruth Boyce Stewart 1919-20033
Elizabeth Boyce Worden 1922-2009
As a child Ellis plowed his grandparents' North Lake farm fields with a team of horses. He quickly realized that farming just wasn't his "cup of tea". He did, however, love the pleasure of simple visits to his grandparents farm home during the Great Depression.
As World War II approached he entered Officers Candidate School. On June 6, 1944 (D-Day) Lieutenant Ellis Boyce landed at what was called the "Easy Red" Sector of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. His Joint Assault unit sustained 80% casualties. He was wounded in battle and later received the Purple Heart. He also received the Silver Star medal due to his bravery exhibited in battle. Later in the war he was involved in the invasion of the Philippins (Luzon). There his unit sustained 90% casualties and again Ellis was a survivor. After World War II Ellis was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.
On September 18, 1948 Ellis Married Lois Hollis. Together they had two sons, Alan and Floyd. Lois died in 1953. He married Elaine Schmidt on March 11, 1961. Elaine brought a son, Charley Fredette, into the family. Ellis and Elaine then had two daughters, Kimberly and Carol.
Ellis worked with his great friend and uncle, Holton Knisely, at K&E Screw Products in Dexter, MI. He became Vice-President and part owner before retiring in 1980. Ellis and Elaine enjoyed several European trips including the 50th D-Day Anniversary. They also enjoyed vacationing at their Betsie River cottage with their children and grandchildren near Frankort, Michigan. Especially memorable were mushrooming outings, trout fishing, tubing down the river and makeing apple dumplings. Ellis was known as the best fisherman along the "Old Grade Crossing" stretch of the Betsie River. Chickadees would often sit and wait on his rod and even on his eyeglasses waiting for a handful of sunflower seeds, which he kept in his pocket while fishing.
In 1993 Ellis completed a massive family history record which dates back to the Middle Ages. He was very proud of his ancestry, his family and his historical research. It took him years to complete the family history book. He was also proud of his correspondence with the late American author and historian Stephen Ambrose.
In his twilight years his daughter Kimberly and her husband, Ronen Sherman, cared for Ellis in their Ann Arbor home. Ellis was truly blessed in those years.
Ellis leaves behind Elaine, his loving wife of 50 years, his children: Charley (Barbara) Fredette; Alan (Virginia) Boyce; Floyd (Mary) Boyce; Kimberly (Ronen) Sherman and Carol Boyce. He also had the joy of 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Siblings
Dorothy Boyce LaSovage 1918-1993
Ruth Boyce Stewart 1919-20033
Elizabeth Boyce Worden 1922-2009
Family Members
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