Ellis L. Gowell

Ellis Gowell worked hard to provide for his children, and he found the reward for all his effort in their loving company. He was a dedicated family man. His wife, children, and grandkids were his greatest treasure. The Roaring Twenties marked a decade of prosperity, celebration, and jazz music. Yet everything that rises must converge, and with the crash of the stock market Americans witnessed a dramatic reversal of fortune. In Shelby, Michigan, Lewis Gowell and his wife Electa McIntyre maintained their optimistic spirits by focusing on a different future, the future of their family. They were expecting a child, and on June 1, 1927 they were blessed with the birth of their son Ellis L. Gowell. The youngest of six children, Ellis grew up on the family farm in Shelby with the company of his sisters, Cleora, Dorothy, and Verna, and his brothers, Clarence and James. Everyone worked hard on the farm. The Great Depression had spread across the country, and people had to work harder than ever just to meet the basic needs of food and shelter. Ellis was sick as a young child, and as a consequence he was often excused from his chores. He spent a good deal of time in hospitals, and his poor health ultimately forced him to withdraw from school. He began working full-time, which eventually enabled him to buy his first of many nice cars. When Ellis was a young man he met Betty Zalis. He entered the army shortly thereafter, in 1945, and was discharged a year later due to an illness in his family. He returned home and asked for Bettys hand. They were married on April 8, 1946 in Hart, Michigan. Although this marriage would dissolve in 1961, their union was blessed with two wonderful children. Katherine was born in 1947, followed by Mary in 1950. Ellis rented a home in Oceana County, and to provide for his children he bought a thirty-acre fruit farm and also worked at Shaw Walker in Muskegon. He owned a boat and enjoyed taking his kids out on Silver Lake. When his marriage with Betty ended, Ellis sold his fruit farm and moved to Muskegon where he rented an apartment. This was a lonely time in his life which thankfully came to an end when he met Marie. Like Ellis, she had children of her own, four wonderful kids named Gary, Anita, Terry, and Karrie Lee. She and Ellis dated for five years before they were married on July 15, 1967. They moved into the two bedroom house at 3435 Reginald Drive. He and Marie were delighted--although they certainly needed a bigger house. They solved this problem later that same year. They moved to Fruitport, to the home at 2503 Hts Ravenna Rd. All the children went to Fruitport High School. To provide for his growing family, Ellis worked the third shift at Shaw Walker. His hard work had its rewards. In 1970 he built an in-ground swimming pool in his backyard, and he and Marie took regular trips to Florida. Ellis always loved the outdoors: good weather was one of his biggest thrills. After he retired from Shaw Walker in 1988, he and Marie bought a winter home in Florida. With retirement Ellis discovered more time to dedicate to his hobbies. He was an avid bowler and boater. He enjoyed being outdoors, and he liked to tinker and fix things. All these joys were a distant second to his family. Ellis was a devoted husband and father who found his greatest joys in the warm company of his beloved family. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, Ellis will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Ellis died on Thursday, March 13, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marie; son, Terry (LaRaine) Kiel of Fruitport; 4 daughters, Kathryn (David) Spitler of Pentwater, Mary Rundell of Norton Shores, Anita (Jerry) Sturgis of Muskegon Heights, Karrie Lee Kiel of Fruitport; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; brother, James (Phyllis) Gowell of New Era; sister, Verna (Gerald) Guse of IL; several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary in 1989; grandson, Joshua Kiel; brother, Clarence; 3 sisters, Dorothy Nelson, Cleora Cook, Grace Gowell. SERVICE: Monday, March 17, 2008, 11:00 AM at Fifth Reformed Church with Rev. Norman Swier officiating. VISITATION: Monday, one hour prior to the service at Fifth Reformed Church. MEMORIAL: Harbor Hospice - Poppen Residence. Please visit Ellis personal website at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may archive a favorite memory or sign the guestbook.