Howard. H. Ellis of Hillsboro, Ohio passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2022 just shy of his 97th birthday. Howard was born in Greenfield, Ohio in 1925 to the late Henrietta and Willis O.C. Ellis. The youngest of four brothers, Howard learned the meaning of hard work and dedication to family and land at an early age. He made the most of growing up during the Great Depression and developed values that would guide him throughout his life. As a young man, he loved baseball; but most of all, he loved his brothers. He often told stories of walking with them nine miles uphill to and from school in sleet and snow.
After high school, Howard went on to serve the United States of America in the Air Corp until a serious bout of pneumonia forced him to choose a different path. Fortunately, Howard had the entrepreneurial spirit; and in 1943, he opened a Dairy Queen in Hillsboro with his partners William and Joann Lucas. In 1953, Howard swung for the fences and married the radiant Betty Waits, of Hillsboro, Ohio. She was entirely out of his league, but they made a great team! Howard and Betty gave birth to their daughter Cathy in 1966 and continued to operate the Dairy Queen until 1996 when they retired after 53 years of operation. Coney dogs and Foley special milkshakes were a local favorite as well as ice cream, Blizzards and dilly bars. He loved to tell a story about the good folks of Hillsboro standing in line for his ice cream with a tornado looming in the distance.
Howard was a member of the Hillsboro United Methodist Church and had many great friends in their congregation. He loved God, his friends and family, and ice cream; but most of all, he loved his family. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and brother. He lived a great life and died peacefully.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty Ellis, brothers Conde, Beryl and Selwyn Ellis and son in law Greg Ford.
He is survived by daughter Cathy Ford, grandson Justin (Kori), granddaughter Katie, and great grandchildren Haley, McKenzie, Finnley, Chase and Maci.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 at 12:00 noon at the United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, OH with services following at 1:00 P.M. Burial will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery. Please see the Thompson Funeral Home website for information.
https://www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com/
In lieu of flowers please share your favorite ice cream treat with your family in remembrance of 'Howie'.
Thompson Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.
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www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com
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