Maurice Harlan Ellis, 92, of Columbia, Missouri died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at University Hospital.  A memorial service held at Epple Chapel at Lenoir Woods Retirement Center.

He was born June 3, 1921, in Osage, Iowa, to the late Melvin and Dorothy (Snively) Ellis.  On Aug. 25, 1944, he was married to Marjorie Nash, who survives at the home.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, serving as a naval aviator during World War II.

He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now Missouri S&T) with a degree in civil engineering.

In addition to his wife; he is survived by one daughter, Nancy Ellis-Ordway and son-in-law Fred Ordway of Jefferson City; two grandchildren, Ellie OrdwayWest (Josh) and Stephen Ordway of St. Louis; and four nieces.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Gaylord Ellis of Rochester, Mich.

Published in Columbia Daily Tribune (MO) – Wednesday, January 15, 2014