SOUTH BEND - Robert Francis Ellis, 85, of South Bend, went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend. Mr. Ellis was born on July 31, 1923, in Rochester, IN, to the late Clarence and Mary B. (Heeter) Ellis, and had lived on a farm in Macy, IN. Mr. Ellis was a graduate of Macy High School in 1941 and then enrolled at the International Business College, Ft. Wayne. After graduation in 1943 he was employed at General Electric for three years and then moved to South Bend in 1946 where he worked at The Ridge Company. In 1952 he was employed by The Torrington Company as a general accountant. He retired from there in 1985 after 32 years of service. He then worked two years at The Ridge Company and 13 years as a part- time employee in the tax department of Coopers and Lybrand.

Mr. Ellis was married in South Bend to Mary Alice McFarland on June 17, 1951. He is survived by his wife, Mary Alice; three children, Ronald P. Ellis of Lantana, TX, Diane L. (Arnie) Elmerick of Columbus, IN, and Richard J. Ellis of Mishawaka; one granddaughter, Robin M. Elmerick; two step-grandchildren, Christian (Michelle) Elmerick and Courtney (Keenan) Lane; and four step-great- grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Cassidy, Matthew and Zachary Elmerick. Also surviving are one sister, Martha (Donald) Hardacre of Thousand Palms, CA; two nieces, Lane and Pam Hardacre; and one nephew, Steven Hardacre.

Mr. Ellis was a 50-year member of the Grace United Methodist Church, past president of the South Bend Lions Club, a Melvin Jones Fellow of Lions International, past president of Toastmasters Club #694, a member emeritus of the Institute of Management Accountants, a member of Presbyterian Players, a volunteer at the Budget Corner, as well as volunteering his time for other organizations. He was also active with the choir and bell choir at St. Paul's Retirement Community. Mr. Ellis loved his family, traveling, yard work, crossword puzzles and theatre.