Sept. 23, 1924 - March 21, 2012

ELKHART — Robert Joseph "Bob" Ellert, 87, residing in Elkhart, passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 21, 2012, at Greenleaf Health Campus following a five-month illness.

Bob was born Sept. 23, 1924, in Chicago to the late Clement C. and Theresa (Schiffli) Ellert.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, George Ellert; and sisters Louise Schroeder and Florence Handley.

He married Fran Simons on Jan. 7, 1967, in Elkhart. She survives, as well as a sister, Theresa Clegg of Ocala, Fla.; many nieces and nephews; and close friends John and Sharon Hartman. He will be missed by his dear little canine friend, Cinnamon Buford.

Bob graduated from Parker High School in Chicago and went to work for New York Central Railroad. He retired from Amtrak as an engineer after 47 years of service. Robert was an Army veteran of World War II, where he operated a Sherman Tank in the "Battle of the Bulge" when he went to Europe. It was the largest troop movement of the war aboard the refitted Queen Mary, with 25,000 soldiers and 5,000 female personnel. Robert was a member of Knights of Columbus Post 1043, life member of the VFW and a 54-year member of Elkhart Moose Lodge 599. Bob and his mother were founding members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where he was a longtime usher at the early Mass.

He was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing in the Railroad Golf League and Tuesday Seniors at Raber Golf Course. He could also be seen tooling around town in his 1972 green Chevy Malibu convertible.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A parish vigil prayer service will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a Moose memorial service at 5:30 p.m. Friends may also call for a half hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2012, Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. The Rev. Bill Sullivan will officiate. Burial with military honors by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19 will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Greenleaf Health Campus for their kindness and wonderful care given to Bob.

Memorials may be given to St. Thomas Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart. Online condolences may be sent to www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

---