WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Lee Roy Ellsworth, 86, of Colon Township, passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, at The Oaks at Northpoint Woods.
Lee was born Jan. 7, 1926, in McLoud, Okla., a son of Lee and Jewell (Page) Ellsworth. Lee was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was discharged as a corporal on Nov. 9, 1948, at Percy Jones Army Medical Center in Battle Creek.
Lee spent his career in heavy equipment operation. He was previously a crane operator for Van Dorsten Excavation and Battle Creek Wrecking. Lee had been a member of Operating Engineers Local 324 for more than 50 years, retiring in 1995.
Lee enjoyed deer hunting, traveling and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Ellsworth on June 18, 1995.
Lee is survived by his children, Pam (Ray) Shafe of Colon, Bruce (Cindy) Ellsworth of Battle Creek, Jim (Sue) Sanders of Rockford, Ill., and Linda Spriggle of Rockford, Ill. Lee also leaves four grandchildren, Michael (Heather) Couey Jr., Amy Lee (Creighton) Hennaut, Matthew (Courtney) Ellsworth and Nathan (Stephanie) Ellsworth; fand our stepgrandchildren, Shayna Grumeritz, Teresa Shafe, Jon Rodgers and Randy Wallace. Lee also is survived by 16 great-grandchildren and his sister, Gertrude Swain of Tulsa, Okla.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sherry Lee Ellsworth; a granddaughter, Misty Marie Ellsworth; three brothers; and two sisters.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, at Royal Funeral Home in Battle Creek, with a funeral service beginning at 1 p.m.
Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens, with military honors assisted by the Michigan Patriot Guard.
Memorial contributions may be given to Southwest Michigan Hospice.
