Keith H. Ellis, age 91, of Dubuque, was called home suddenly at 10:12 a.m., on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque. To honor Keith’s life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, January 7, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, with Rev. Dianne Grace officiating. To celebrate Keith’s life, family and friends may visit from 10:00 a.m., until the time of services at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, January 7, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Inurnment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, with his beloved wife Ginny.

Keith was born on February 5, 1927, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Glenn and Cecelia (Pauly) Ellis.

Keith was a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1944, who went on to attend Loras College for a time, before honorably serving his country with the U.S. Navy during WWII on the U.S. S. Gunston Hall. His military service was very important to Keith, and he was an original member of the East Dubuque Drum and Bugle Corps, the V.F.W., the American Legion Dubuque Post #6, as well as a lifetime member of the NRA. He was extremely proud to have the opportunity to be on the last Honor Flight out of Dubuque on May 20, 2014. Keith was united in marriage to Virginia McMiniment, in January of 1950, at St. Anthony’s Church, and they were blessed with 38 years together and 5 children, before she was sadly called home ahead of him on April 23, 1988. Keith had an excellent work ethic, which he put to good use as a Master Floor Mechanic, starting in 1946 with Turnquist, then Carpetland, and lastly with his son, Mike, as Ellis Installation, for a grand total of 42 years, until his well earned retirement. He was a talented big band drummer, with several local bands, who could have played professionally had he chosen to, and was always happy to share his knowledge and appreciation of music with everyone around him. Keith was a true gentleman, through and through, who always made sure his wife and children were his top priority and were well taken care of. He was a great example to his children of what it means to help your neighbor, and was well known for dropping whatever he was doing to stop and help someone in need, no matter the time of day or night. Keith was also very active with the Boy Scouts of America as a leader when his boys were young, teaching countless young men lifetime skills. We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of our wonderful father and grandfather, but are grateful to know that he is now finally reunited with his soulmate, Ginny, for all Eternity.

Those left to cherish Keith’s memory include

his 5 children,
Mike (Sandra) Ellis, Dubuque, IA,
Patrick (Vickie) Ellis, Asbury, IA,
Jeffrey (Brenda) Ellis, Dubuque, IA,
Kimberly (Jerry) Teel, Muscatine, IA
and Karen Ellis, Dubuque, IA;

his 8 grandchildren,
Becky (Chad) Strauser, Brian (Matthew Ingraham) Ellis, Jason (Anne-Lise) Ellis, Abby (Dustin) Daufeldt, Keith Ellis, Travis Ellis, Tyler (Michelle) Teel and Samantha (Chad) Widener;
his 13 great-grandchildren,
Christopher, Caitlin, Camryn, Charli, Conner, Sophie, Piper, Avery, Carly, Logan, Bentley, Rylan and Emma;

a sister-in-law,
Patricia McMiniment, Vero Beach, FL;

and several nieces and nephews.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia “Ginny” Ellis; 2 brothers, Robert Ellis and Merwyn (Bette) Ellis; and a brother-in-law, David McMiniment.

Keith’s family would like to thank Dr. Jared Freiburger, Dr. Christine Holm, the nurses and staff of Mercy Hospital and Medical Associates, as well as his long time doctor and friend, Dr. Alan Harves, for all of their outstanding care throughout the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among his favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com