ELKHART -- Blaine Reed Ellis, 78, of Baldwin Street, died at 3:32 p.m. Saturday (May 24, 2008) at Elkhart General Hospital after an extended illness.

He was born March 6, 1930, in Cleveland, Tenn., to Samuel Ellis and Virgie Bryant Staley. He married Alma Dryden on Dec. 25, 1958, in Elkhart. She died in 2002.

Survivors include a former spouse, Mary Cooper Ellis Wilson of Elkhart; two daughters, Karen (Raymond) Kleitz and Vickie Gonyon, both of Elkhart; one step-daughter, Linda (Harry) Eby of White Pigeon, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; one sister, Louise Dupree of Stigler, Okla. and one special friend, Thelma Swann of Elkhart.

He was preceded in death by one son, Roger; and two sisters, Francis Mason and Viola Stalanacker.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to Thursday's 10 a.m. funeral service at the funeral home with Sister Nora Frost of Grace Lutheran Church in Elkhart officiating. Entombment will be in Rice Cemetery Mausoleums.

Mr. Ellis was a security guard at CTS in Elkhart and an independent over-the-road truck driver, amassing over 35 years of service before his health required him to retire in 1980.

He liked to listen to classic county and Gospel music, and he sang and played bass fiddle with his mother, sisters and friends in a country gospel band in his younger years.

Memorials may be given to Feed the Children. Online condolences may be sent at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.