David Ellis

David Roger Ellis entered the world on February 13, 1950, as the fifth of nine children born to Howard and Marie (Gruper) Ellis — and from the very beginning, it seemed pretty clear he had no intention of living a small or quiet life. Dave recorded his own obituary far before it was needed. If you know Dave, you know it was full of every detail of his past and his many accolades. It even included punctuation. His family selected a few of the highlights to share his true essence.

Known lovingly throughout the years as Dave, Puddy, Diesel, Rar Rar, Daggles, and Nellie, he answered to all of them with the same warmth, humor, and unmistakable sparkle that made people instantly feel comfortable around him. Dave grew up with modest means, but what the Ellis family may have lacked financially, they made up for with love, connection, service, and an unwavering belief in helping others. That spirit followed Dave his entire life and was reflected in everything he did — from his work and leadership roles to the way he treated complete strangers like lifelong friends. If you were lucky enough to become friends with Dave, you quickly learned something important: you were basically an Ellis now.

Dave married his high school sweetheart and lifelong partner, Mary Handler in 1972. Dave loved Mary more than anyone could have loved their wife. Together they built a beautiful life in Neenah and a family rooted in love, loyalty, laughter, resilience, and unwavering support. They have three children; Todd (Becky Weyenberg), Krystin (Nate Retzlaff), and Kimberly (Erik Whitman); and his beloved grandchildren Kayla (Ike Miller) and Mya Ellis, Ace and Emjay Retzlaff, and Riley and Ben Whitman. He is survived by his family, and siblings Mark (Sue), Robert Michael (Elke), Bettie Spethman, Jean Ellis-Sankari, sisters-in-law Sandy and Sylvia Ellis and brother-in-law Larry (Evelyn) Handler. Additionally many nieces, nephews, countless friends, colleagues, and acquaintances whose lives are better because they knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Marie Ellis; his brothers Howie, Michael G., Patrick Richard “Dick”, and Tommy Joe “TJ” Ellis; his special Aunt Lilly; special nephew Chad Ellis; Parents-in-law, Kenneth and Mildred Handler.

David graduated Neenah High School in 1968, earned a degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he served as Chapter President of the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity. Dave built an incredible career at J.J. Keller & Associates beginning in 1976 until his retirement as the Director of Business Development in 2013. During his career, he shared 27 years with the Neenah Board of Education, 14 of those years as Board President. In true Dave fashion, he provided his entire resume in his spoken obituary, proof he wanted us to know his passion for leadership, civic duty, and big ideas. 

Dave loved ideas, people, politics, music, storytelling, brainstorming, and conversations that could last for hours. He had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, appreciated, included, and important. He was fun-loving, endlessly conversational, generous to a fault, and deeply caring. He often helped people quietly and without recognition, simply because he believed it was the right thing to do. His family describes him as a man of wisdom and tenacity — someone who genuinely believed anything was possible. He taught his children to dream big, stay connected, work hard, laugh often, and always believe in the magic of Christmas. Family traditions were sacred to Dave, and he built a life centered around togetherness, storytelling, humor, and showing up for one another. Nothing made Dave prouder than his children and grandchildren. He often said, “I’m the luckiest guy around — my children and their families all live within eight miles of me.” And he meant it. Being close to his family wasn’t just convenient for Dave; it was one of his life’s greatest joys.  Dave had so much pride in the home he built for his family; they spent many, many holidays there together.  And the best part... it had enough space to park his beloved black Cadillacs.

He spent his final day on earth with his family. They surrounded him playing the music he loved, sharing stories, laughter, memories, and love — exactly the way Dave would have wanted it. He passed away on Monday, May 11. His final months were not easy, but true to who he was, he faced them with honesty, grit, humor, and heart. In his own words, he had “surrendered” and chose peace and precious time with family. His family would like to thank the staff at St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Brewster Village who provided Dave with best care and dignity.  

The overwhelming outpouring of love, stories, and condolences shared in recent days stands as proof of what Dave’s family always knew: David Ellis made an impact. A real one. The kind built not through perfection, but through presence, kindness, laughter, leadership, generosity, and genuine love for people.

And in the famous words of Dr. Spock so often quoted by Dave Ellis— “Live Long and Prosper.”

Dave requested we throw a "Big Party" in his honor. Please join us in celebrating him on Sunday, May 24th from 1:30-4:30pm at The Dome in Neenah.