Ellis John Gardner

Ellis John Gardner, 95, of Elkton, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Rose Garden Senior Living in Elkton.

Ellis was born August 14, 1929 southeast of Elkton to Raymond and Margery (Abbe) Gardner. He had one brother, Raymond Gardner Jr.

Ellis attended Cedar and Canboro Rural Schools and graduated from Elkton High School in 1948. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his leisure time. He went to work with Active Industries but was soon drafted in the US Army. Before shipping out, Ellis and Delores Dubs were married on February 2, 1952. Immediately after the wedding, Ellis was deployed to Korea for the duration of his time in the military.

While in Korea, Ellis welded “anything metal,” large machinery, bridges, water tanks, etc. When Ellis came home from the war, he was again employed by Active. He hired in as a utility worker and became Active Industries first tool and die welder.

Ellis retired from Active after 20 years to start his own business, Weldall Welding, because he really could weld anything. In 1973 he retired. Some of the more unusual projects to come out of Weldall were swimming pools, hand-crafted Lake Spears, wood stoves and a 50-foot aluminum boat for Bay Port Fish Company, which they named “Osprey.”  After Ellis retired from Weldall, he traveled to sales and auctions all over the state, buying used machinery, repairing it and reselling the items.

Ellis was a dedicated member of the Owendale/Bay Port Community of Christ Church where he was also an ordained minister holding the office of Evangelist. He traveled all over Michigan, preaching, teaching, and counseling at church camps and many Community of Christ congregations.

Ellis is survived by his wife Delores; children Carole (Jim) Neurath of Cadillac, Gary (Judy) Gardner of Elkton and Karen (Steve) Bouverette of Elkton. The couple also has six grandchildren/step-grandchildren: Chad Gardner of Bahrain, Corey Gardner of Warren, Aaron Bouverette of Chicago, Adam (Beth) Bouverette of Mason, Angela (Danielle) Helgeson of Allendale and Andrew (Andris) Antons of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his brother Raymond Jr.

Funeral services will be 11:00am Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Champagne Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Grant Twp Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:00pm to 6:00pm Sunday.

Memorials may be made to Outreach International.