Orval E. Ellis, 86, of 922 Motz Street, Saint Marys, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at his residence.

He was born May 1, 1922, in Portland, Indiana, the son of Harry and Ada (Smith) Ellis.

He married Winona “Dana” Carmean on June 25, 1949; she preceded him in death in 1985.

He is survived by his three children: Neil (Jaculin) Ellis of Saint Marys; Melanie (Tom) Guillozet of Piqua; Lindsey (Julie) Ellis of Grand Junction, Colorado; by 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; by three sisters: Betty Schroeder of Midland, Michigan; Dorothy Anderson of Bluffton, Ohio; Marjorie Poor of Hoagland, Indiana; by two brothers: Chalmer Ellis of Bay City, Michigan; Vearl Ellis of Van Wert, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters: Crystal Sherman and Sarah Granger; by two brothers: Leonard and Kenneth Ellis.

Orval was a WWII veteran, serving as a staff sergeant with the 329^th Infantry, Regimental Headquarters, 83^rd Infantry. He landed in France on D-Day, fighting on the beaches at Normandy. He saw further action at the Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes and throughout northern France, central Europe and the Rhineland. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star for heroic achievement during battle near Culot, France,on July 6, 1944.

Upon being discharged from the US Army he returned to his job with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Saint Marys, where he was employed for 43 years working on the banburries. He worked as a janitor at the United Rubber Workers’ Union Hall in Saint Marys for many years. Following the death of his wife he worked for Hunter Plumbing and Heating, Celina, as a handyman.

Orval was a skilled carpenter and jack of all trades. His life was centered on his family and his work. He enjoyed working out of doors and kept busy caring for the neighborhood wildlife.

Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys, the Reverend Ed Bray, officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens.

Friends may call from 5-7 Monday at the funeral home, where memorial donations may be directed to the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) Foundation, American Heart Fund or the PSA Three Agency on Aging.