Command Sergeant Major Elmer Duane Ellis, USA Retired, 80, formerly of Redfield, SD, died Friday January 1, 2010 at his apartment in Aberdeen, SD.

His funeral will be Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield. Reverend Tim Fugman will officiate.

After the services Duane's body will be cremated and his ashes will be buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, at a later date. There will be lunch served immediately following the services at the church.

Visitation will be Monday from 1-8:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Elmer Duane Ellis was born March 16, 1929 to Virgil W. and Stella M. (Larsen) Ellis in Ashton, SD. He attended the Jenner Rural School and graduated from Ashton High School in 1947. He married Velva May Baker in October 1950. A daughter Suzann Jo was born of this Union.

He entered the US Army in 1951 and served at the White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico as a Guided Missile Technician until his release from active duty in 1953. He worked as a mechanic until he reentered the US Army in June 1956 and was stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX as a Guided Missile Supply Technician. While stationed at Ft. Bliss, he met and married Frances Maynor. In June 1958, he, Fran and daughter Carol Ann returned to Redfield, SD where he worked as a mechanic and later as bus foreman for the Redfield Public School. He also studied law and was appointed Spink County Justice of Peace. He continued his military career with service in the National Guard. He was Chief of Firing Battery and also First Sergeant of the Redfield Nation Guard. He also returned to the US Army on active duty on numerous occasions.

In December 1973, he married Bonnie Hicks. He was selected in 1976 to attend class 7 in the Sergeants Major Academy. In 1978, he was appointed Command Sergeant Major of the 147th 2nd Battalion Field Artillery.

In 1980, he was appointed Magistrate Judge and Clerk of Courts for Spink County. In 1984, he was selected by the National Guard Bureau to go to the Sergeants Major Academy in Ft. Bliss, TX to develop a Leadership Training Program and Instructor Course for the Reserve Components. He took leave of absence for four years and then returned to the Judicial Court System. He retired in 1989, as a Command Sergeant Major with 36 years of total active and reserve duty. He retired from the court system in 1991, with 26 years of service. After retirement Duane worked with the Juvenile Delinquency Program in Spink County. Duane was a big part of the Military Family Support Group for the 147th Field Artillery when the guards were called to Iraq. He lived in Redfield until May 2009 when he and Bonnie moved to Aberdeen, SD.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, two daughters: Suzann Jo (David) Evans of Casselberry, FL and Carol Ann (Gary) Wipf of Frankfort, SD. Four brothers: Delvin (Marlys) Ellis and Verlyn (Mavis) Ellis all of Redfield, SD, Elton (Betty) Ellis of Rochester, MN and Ronnie (Rose) Ellis of Four Corners, Co. Five step children: Connie (Dick) Pirtle of St. James, MO, Peggy (Wayne) Morris of Redfield, SD, Dan (Tammy) Hicks of Aberdeen, SD, Scott (Judy Carroll) Hicks of Redfield, SD and Clair (Brenda) Hicks of Badger, SD; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; ten step grandchildren and twelve great-grand children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Dorothy Schutte and both of his former wives, and one grandchild.