Ira Eugene "Gene" Ellis

Services for Ira Eugene "Gene" Ellis, 88, of Grand Saline, are scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, October 22, 2015, at Bartley Funeral Home with Bro. Michael Mize officiating.
Interment and military honors will follow in Haven of Memories, Canton.
Mr. Ellis passed away October 19, 2015, at his home. He was born January 8, 1927, in the Roundflat Community of Van Zandt County to Ira Marion & Cecile Anne Pugh Ellis. Mr. Ellis had been a resident of Van Zandt County his whole life. He spent his early years working for Magnolia Oil Company in Kilgore. He also owned & operated Western Auto Stores in Grand Saline and Wills Point and a used furniture and antique store in Grand Saline. He was a 33rd degree Mason and served in the US Army during WWII. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 61 years, Mozelle Whiteside Ellis; two sisters, Wynona Fisher and Dewene Armstrong; infant sister, Elsie Marie Ellis; and son-in-law, Mike Heddins.
Survivors include his three daughters and sons-in-law, Karen Heddins of Mesquite, Leta & Danny Hollis of Grand Saline, Kimberly & Bob Czupryna of Forney; sons and daughters-in-law, Darrell & Patricia Ellis of Marshall, Dwayne & Tammy Ellis of Alba; niece, Ramona Armstrong of Dallas; 17 grandchildren, Erica Anderson, Brandon Stacey, Sarah Williams, Megan Stacey, Starla Bryant, LaDarla Sanders, Canyon Ellis, Becky Hopkins, Jeremy Grace, Matthew Grace, Josh Hollis, Jordan Hollis, Jared Hollis, Aellise Czupryna, Stasia Czupryna, Elizabeth Ellis and David Ellis; 9 great-grandchildren, Trey Anderson, Lily Anderson, Skylar Anderson, Crimson Bryant, Cavern Bryant, Mason Miller, Alison Miller, Bo Grace and Dylan Grace; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers will be Carter Elliott, Ed Bailey, Tony Phillips, Tom Hubbard, Gerald Gilbert, Cody Mize and Mack Swain.
Memorials may be made to Old School Museum c/o Ed Bailey, 14261 FM 17, Grand Saline, TX, 75140.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home.