Donnie Ray Ellis Sr., aged 82, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Born on January 13, 1943, in Marana, Arizona, he was the beloved son of the late Wilma and Donald Ellis. Donnie attended Lafayette High School and proudly served his country by joining the United States Air Force.
On January 16, 1965, he married the love of his life, Deatra Shryock, in St. Joseph, Missouri. They shared many wonderful years together until her passing on February 5, 2009. Donnie dedicated over 30 years of his career as a Machinist at Quaker Oats, retiring upon its closing. He was passionate about playing pitch, collecting coins, and Budweiser steins.
Donnie was preceded in death by his wife, Deatra Rose Ellis, his parents, a sister, Shirley Ellis, and a granddaughter, Ramsee Green. He is survived by his loving family, including daughters Rose Marie Ellis, Sandra Ellis, and Pamela (Andy) Thompson, all of St. Joseph, Missouri; sons Donnie (Laura) Ellis Jr. of Enterprise, Kansas, and Danny Ellis of St. Joseph, Missouri. He also leaves behind five brothers: Ronald, Bill, Loyd, Earl Ellis, and Jim Thurman, a sister, Joyce McMichael, 12 grandchildren; Donnie W, and Jason Ellis, Heather (Shylo) Milborne, Scott, Amber, Chancey, Tanyon, Deatra S., and Chase Ellis, Andrea (William), & Lindsey Green, and Brittany Smith, and fifteen great grandchildren. The Inurnment will be at the Bethel Cemetery, DeKalb, MO. at a later date.
