Doris Marie (Thompson) Ellis, age 88, of Drummond Island, Michigan, died at her home on April 12, 2024. She was born on November 18, 1935, in Rudyard, Michigan, to Claire and Lillian (Arbic) Thompson.
Doris grew up in Rudyard and graduated from Rudyard High School with the Class of 1953. She moved to Drummond Island to work at Ellis Boat Works where she met Thomas Carlyle Ellis, and they married October 23, 1954. Together they built fireplaces for 60 years. Doris would lay out the design of the rocks and Carlyle would lay them into the fireplace.
Doris was a member of the Lighthouse Christian Church on Drummond Island, the Homemakers of Drummond Island, the Drummond Island Snowmobile Club, and the Ladies of the Moose in St. Ignace. She was also a 4H leader on Drummond Island, where she taught sewing.
Doris loved picking berries for her jams and tending to her garden. She also enjoyed snowmobiling, knitting, and sewing mittens and socks.
Doris is survived by her husband, Thomas C. Ellis; son, Thomas G. (Pam) Ellis; daughter, Lisa (Jim) Tarr; grandchildren, Thomas R. (Niki) Ellis, Andrew M. (Nicole) Ellis, Sarah D. (Kenn) Howard, Scott A. Ellis, Ellis B. (Melanie) Tarr, Austin C. Ellis; great-grandchildren, Deryk (Mary) Lazarz, Taylor (Nick) Lazarz, Trisha (Colin) Lazarz, Ivan Ellis, Tanner Howard, Kenzie Howard, and D.J. Molina; great-great-grandchildren, Owen Lazarz, and Griffin Schut; brothers, Don Thompson, and Ron (Annette) Thompson; and sisters, Judy Thompson, Lois (Robert) Kangas, and Cathy Humphries.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Claire, and Lillian; sister, Barbara Mitchell; brother, Austin (Wanda) Thompson; sisters-in-law, Sharon Thompson and Penny Thompson; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Merlin (Lorna) Kelly, Paul (L. Jean) Staley, Ed (Aleen) Voss.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, April 20th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon with a Memorial Service to follow at 12:00 Noon at the Lighthouse Christian Church, 29898 E Pine St, Drummond, MI 49726.
Final resting place will be at the Drummond Island Cemetery on Drummond Island, Michigan.
Memorial Contributions can be mailed to CARES for DIAC, P.O. Box 392 Drummond Island, MI 49726.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
