Life story Mr. Don E. "Donnie" Ellis, Jr. age 60, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Swiss Villa Nursing Center in Vevay, Indiana. Born February 25, 1952 in Hamilton, Ohio, he was the son of Don and Marian Caldwell Ellis. Mr. Ellis worked at several positions over his lifetime, but his favorite position was as a horse farrier. He enjoyed being outdoors, reading and comedy. Survivors include his parents of Bennington, Indiana; two daughters and sons-in-law: Amanda Gribbons and her husband, James, and Dawn Cline and her husband, Jason of Hanover, Indiana; two sons: Weston Ellis of Signal Hill, California, and Ethan Ellis of Indiana; two sisters: Cheryl Munoz of Indiana and Marcy Hahn and her husband, Roger of Texas; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Gary Weston Ellis. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at the Lytle Funeral Chapel. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the World Wildlife Fund or Heifer, International. Memorial envelopes are available at the funeral home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald "Donnie" Ellis Jr., please visit our floral store.