Ellison, Robert G. Born 19 February 1945 in San Mateo, California, to Robert Guy and Georgeann (Van Pragg) Ellison, died 24 January 2013 in Lansing, Michigan. He grew up in Redwood City, California, along with his brother and 7 sisters. He attended school, was an alumnus of Sequia High School, had odd jobs as a teenager, one of which was at the radiator shop of his best friend's father, Richard Daricek. He would go hunting in Utah with his best friend Jody Daricek, and Richard, and he spent a lot of time with them and his other best friend, Frank Camacho. Robert and Frank had a love of cars, and both were "Midget Racers". Robert enlisted in the Army in 1967, serving 3 tours in Vietnam, and receiving 3 Purple Hearts, along with 1 Silver Service Star; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal with 4 loops; Combat Infantry Badge; Drivers Badge; and Rifle and Machine Gun Badges. He had also been stationed at Ft. Polk, LA; Ft. Lewis, WA; Presidio San Francisco, CA; 97th General Hospital, Frankfort, Germany; and Ft. Hood, TX. Robert enjoyed traveling, having gone to many areas of Germany, Luxembourg, France (especially Paris), Disneyland, Yosemite National Park, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, the Sierra Mountains, Arizona, the Alamo in San Antonio, TX, Macinac City, Macinac Island, St. Ignace, the Soo Locks, Canada, South Dakota, and many other places. Robert's greatest love was his family, whether it was his immediate family, his brother and sisters and their families, or extended family that he had recently discovered, including a cousin in England. He enjoyed walking through cemeteries researching family graves, and helping in the research of information. When Robert was discharged from the Army in 1980 on a disability, he brought his family to Williamston, which was his wife's home town, because he knew that it would be a better place to raise his family. He was lucky enough to get a job at Michigan State University on his birthday, driving the big buses. He was later transferred to the handicap buses; he enjoyed driving the buses and being with the students. He was again transferred, this time to Site at the Grounds Department, and then to Grounds Department where he eventually became a Master Gardner. Except for the cold winters, he enjoyed this job – learning about the plants, planting times, and taking care the areas assigned to him. He also made a lot of friends there, some of whom he had stayed in touch with.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Edward; his sisters Georgeann, Marlene, and Muriel; and his best friend, Frank Comacho. He is survived by his of wife of 41 years, Candace (Candy O'Dell); son Adam (Jonna), daughter Tanya (Arthur) Burnett; grandchildren Dalton Stickler and Fiona Ane Ellison, all of Williamston; brother-in-law Bill Coats of Redwood City, CA; sisters Edna Mae Escamilla of Oro Valley, AZ; Barbara Earegood and Beverly (Robert) Grush, both of Flint; mother-in-law Barbara O'Dell of Bitely, MI; brother-in-law Rick O'Dell of Holt; sister-in-law Colleen (Scott) Gilmore of Haslett; his best friends Jody (Jill) Daricek of Mt Shasta, CA and Alan (Gail) Diana of Laingsburg; and many nieces, nephews and cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be at the Gorsline-Runciman, Williamston Chapel, on Tuesday, 29 January 2013, at 2 pm, with visitation an hour before the service. Viewing will be Monday, 28 January 2013, from 2 – 4 pm, and 6-8 pm.

Contributions are encouraged to the charity of your choice ~