05/19/2025
John Joseph Ellis, Jr., 81, of Knoxville, Iowa passed away peacefully on Monday, May 19, 2025 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, in Des Moines.
John was born on December 8, 1943 in Knoxville as the oldest child of John Joseph Ellis, Sr. and Dorothy Colleen (Alley) Ellis, who preceded him in death.
John was a graduate of Knoxville Community High School. His extensive career included work as a farmer, real estate appraiser, agricultural lender, bank manager, mortgage broker, precious gemstone wholesaler, and business owner.
It took him from Knoxville to Bedford, Iowa; Fountain Hills, Arizona; Irvine, California; and Lake Havasu City, Arizona. In retirement, John
returned to his hometown of Knoxville.
John is survived by a sister, Judith (Carroll) Carter, a brother Jim (Diane) Ellis, and by his children, Blair “Matt” Ellis, J. Robert “Bob” (Cheryl) Ellis, and Angela (Robert) Jackson.
He is further survived by his grandchildren, Christina, Dominic, Riley, Jeremiah (Kayla), Logan, Isabella, and Garrett, and by a great-grandson, Bennett.
In keeping with John’s wishes, no funeral service or visitation will be held.