Jackston Ellis, Jr

Jackston Earl Ellis Jack] Age 83 of Joliet went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday January 24 2012. Jack was born April 28 1928 in Chicago to the late Jackston Sr. and Julia (Thornton). He was the oldest of four children. He was a lifelong Lockport and Joliet resident graduating from Lockport Township High School in 1948. He married Zelda Brayton on September 1 1951. He attended Joliet Jr. College Moody Bible Institute and Lewis University. Jack was employed in a variety of sales jobs most notably for Peter Wheat and Home Bakeries Crombie and Meadow Gold Dairies Jewel T. Corporation and Amsco Tools. He later worked at Stateville Penitentiary and retired as a food supervisor after 20 years of service. Additionally he was an entrepreneur who operated several small businesses throughout the years.Jack was a longtime member of Faith Bible Church where he taught Sunday school for many years. He was a founding member and elder of Fellowship Bible Church in Joliet. He was instrumental in starting the Joliet Christian Youth Center and served on its Christian Laymens Association Board for many years. He was a lifelong supporter and Association member of Riverside Bible Conference in Amherst WI.Jack was always active. His interests were organic gardening sports reading and telling stories. He loved bowling and playing tennis softball golf horseshoes basketball and football.He was preceded in death by his parents Jackston Sr. and Julia (Thornton) Ellis his brother William Ellis sister-in-law Jane Bergeson and brother-in-law Earl Voight.He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Zelda ( Brayton) Ellis his children Jonathan Bonnie (Kerry) Ewald Connie (Patrick) Sullivan Kathleen (William) Brewer Linda Aguilar and Steven grandchildren Nicole (fianceacute Dustin Kendra) and Steven M. Ellis Carisa (Steven) Lovell Juan (Amber) Aguilar Kristin Kourtney and Kiley Ewald Patrick (Elenor) Sullivan great grandchildren Steven Jr., Eva and Andrew Lovell Isaiah Aguilar and Tristian Kendra. He is also survived by his brother Charles (Patricia) Ellis sister Louise Voight sister-in-law Lois Ellis brother-in-law Duane (Mary) Bergeson and numerous nieces nephews and cousins.Visitation will be at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home on Sunday January 29th from 3 8 p.m. and Monday January 30th from 10:30 11:30 a.m. with a service to celebrate and commemorate his life to follow on Monday at 11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Charles Rains officiating. Private interment will be at Elmhurst Cemetery in Joliet.The family would appreciate memorials in his name to Riverside Bible Conference 6355 County Road DD Amherst WI 54406 or Fellowship Bible Church Joliet IL.