Funeral services for Melvin Ralph Ellis, 70, of Ace, Texas, will be held Friday, September 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas with Bro. Paul Boyd and Bro. John Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Ace Baptist Cemetery in Ace, Texas. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 24, 2015 beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Mr. Ellis was born May 13, 1945 in Walker County, Georgia to parents, Robert Nathan Ellis and Maude Priscilla (Simmons) Ellis, and passed away September 20, 2015 in Ace, Texas. During his life, he proudly served his country in the Unites States Army. After the military, Melvin became a plumber for 40 years and would retire from Crown Plumbing after 25 years. Melvin was also a member of the South Polk County Fire Department for 17 years. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Clyde Stacy and Don Stephen; nephew, Michael Stephen; niece, Linda Ellis Fisher; In-laws, Charles and Nonnie Dohoney; sister-in-law, Mary Dohoney Stacy.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Ellis of Ace, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Michael Douglas of New Caney, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Mary E. and Michael Murphy of Cypress, Texas; other children, Angela Telschow and husband, Chris, Margie West, Randy West, Hector Paz and Liz Paz; grandchildren, Robert Reece and wife, Veronica, Brian Reece and wife, Victoria, Toni Douglas and wife, Misty, Michael C. Murphy, Sean Murphy, Shannon Murphy, Tosha West, and Richard West; great-grandchildren, Tatiana and Yelena Reece, Andrew, Alyssa, Cheyanne and Harlie Reece, Blayne, Cheyenne, Camdyn, and Payge Douglas, ChristopherMoehlmann, Dallas, and Chance West; sister, Margaret Nelson and husband, J.W.; brother, Robert L. Ellis and wife, Rhonda; sister, Velma P. Stacy; brother-in-law, Michael Dohoney and spouse, Roy Hollis; sister-in-law, Tammie Manske; nieces and nephews, Steve Stacy, Debbie Rutledge, Chris and Kenneth Manske, Billie and Donald Stephen, James and Jerry Ellis, Tina, Kathy, Claudia and Misty Stacy; along with numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers: Robert Reece, Brian Reece, Toni Douglas, Michael C. Murphy, Sean Murphy, Chris Manske, Kenneth Manske, Owen Went

Honorary Pallbearers: Chris Telschow, Michael Dohoney, Roy Hollis, Michael Douglas, Michael Murphy, Randy West, Hector Paz, Ken Peterson, and all of South Polk County Fire Department

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .