Howard J. "Shorty" Ellison, 88, of Canton, died Monday, December 26, 2005, at the Lewis County Nursing Home in Canton. He was born on September 13, 1917, in St. Patrick, Mo., the son of George William and Lucy Jane Simpson Ellison. He was united in marriage to Doris M. Marks on February 14, 1943, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Canton. Mr. Ellison was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, an honorary life member of the St. Patrick Knights of Columbus Council #2526; he served on the board of A.S.C.S., MFA, and the Canton Special Road District. He is survived by his wife, Doris M. Ellison of Canton; a daughter, Nancy Geisendorfer of Monticello; son, Bradley D. Ellison and wife Violet of Canton; four grandchildren, Bill Geisendorfer and his wife Shelly, Lisa Geisendorfer and Mike Johns, Traci Bringer and her husband Michael, Tricia Sly and her husband Richard; step granddaughter Kamya Rudicil; ten great-grandchildren, Kourtnie and Zach Geisendorfer, Emily, Audra, and Adley Sly, Kristen, Nicholas, Treyton, Cameron, and Ansley Bringer; and a brother, Robert Ellison of LaGrange. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Roger L. Ellison; a son-in-law, John Geisendorfer; four brothers, Paul, Gene, George, and Harold (in infancy) Ellison; six sisters, Hilda Logsdon, Louise Solter, Helen Stephens, Muriel Kolthoff, Ruby Ellison and Mary Ellison (in infancy). Visitation was Wednesday, December 28, 2005, at Arnolds Funeral Home in Canton, with the Knights of Columbus holding a rosary and prayer service at the end. A mass of Christian burial was held on Thursday, December 29, 2005, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Canton with Fr. James Wheeler officiating, assisted by Fr. Richard Frank with burial in the Forest Grove Cemetery. Music was provided by Mrs. Nan Wood, organist and Mrs. Sandy Dobey, vocalist. Pallbearers were Bill Geisendorfer, Richard Sly, Michael Bringer, Zach Geisendorfer, Kevin Ellison, and John Schafer. Honorary pallbearers were Lester Hoffman, George Hoffman, Duane Job, Lee Taylor, Kevin Cary, and Robert Cary. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church or the special care unit at the Lewis County Nursing Home.