That was the eulogy message conveyed by granddaughter Brodie as she spoke fondly about ‘Pa’ at his funeral service at St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Yarrawonga on Tuesday, October 10.
The well-known and popular Yarrawonga Mulwala identity John Stanley Ellis passed away on Sunday, October 1, aged 81 years. The church service was conducted by former parish preacher Rev’d Michael Jones, assisted by the current Rev’d Elwyn Enos.
“John was very much involved in this church,” Rev’d Jones told a packed St Cuthbert’s church. Rev’d Jones recalled his first day in Yarrawonga, on a very hot January 14, 2005 in which John helped settle in the Jones family.
“It was the start of our friendship,” Rev’d Jones said. “Although he didn’t occupy senior official positions in the church, he was part of many decisions. Johnny would always prepare the church for services, always put his hand up for jobs be it the roof, floodlights, working bees, reading scriptures - a great volunteer and as a parish we will miss him tremendously.”
Before he delivered the first reading, Don Presley commented about John: “He was certainly the go-to-man in our church.”
Rev’d Enos praised John, saying that “his actions spoke louder than words” and that he was “such a good member”.
The eulogy was delivered by John’s granddaughter Brodie Little which included: “John was born on the 19th of December 1941.
He was the only son of Robert and Dorris Ellis of Yarrawonga.
“A beloved husband to Kay and devoted father to Karen and Leanne, their partners Ady and Diesel. And a very special Pa to all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“Pa attended primary school at Savernake then attended a few years at high school before completing his schooling early to begin working.
“Pa then moved onto working at Killianna during his younger years where he worked for John Sloan.
“During this time, he played football for Mulwala, where he was involved in a winning premiership (1968 reserves premiership as back pocket). His participation within the Mulwala club also continued for the years to come.
“The next chapter in Pa’s life included his work on the railways, where he worked for a year.
“During this time at age 18 Pa met Nan and they were married in 1965 in Yarrawonga where their lives began together.
“Shortly after their marriage, their first-born Karen arrived in 1966 then followed by Leanne in 1969 where they lived on factory hill Mulwala until 1970 where they moved to their current address of Woods Road Yarrawonga.
“Pa then continued working at the ADI factory now known as Thales where he worked for 38 years (guard house) before retiring. Alongside this he also worked as a wool classer.
“Although he officially retired, he continued to work as a wool classer on many farms and completed an immense amount of farm work throughout the remainder of his life.
“Along with his work commitments he was also involved with the Mulwala Football Netball Club. Pa was also involved in the Yarrawonga Football Netball Club. This huge involvement with his local community continued over the years, including Yarrawonga Bowls Club, the Lions Club, Probus, Foodbank and the local church where we gather today.
“As the years continued his family grew to his current eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren with another two on the way.
“Remembering moments with Pa, there are so many that involve laughable memories. Some that I’ll forever cherish include his very slow ability to unwrap presents because any wrapping paper could always be used again.
“His generosity was unimaginable within his local community. His family nature was undoubtably what supported us all.”
A tribute was paid in respect of John by friend of 50 years, Ray Humphreys who described his long-time mate as “a wonderful worker”, who “always put his hand up to help out” and who had “a great passion for the Yarrawonga Football and Netball Club”.
Mr Humphreys reeled off many examples of John’s voluntary work including gate admission, the new parking area and raffle work, and shared memories of their history book and card collections.
“Johnny’s manning of the gate would have been the equivalent of 200 home games,” Mr Humphreys said. “He was such a valuable member of our group.”
John was such a good member of several community groups. Lions Club President Jock McDonald described John as “a very hands-on member who did all jobs at the Yarrawonga Show”.
John was “a valued member of our club” according to Yarrawonga Bowls Club President Robert Tait. “He was a great worker who thoroughly enjoyed his bowling and comradeship,” Mr Tait added.
Such was John’s popularity, St Cuthbert’s Church was packed 20 minutes before the service started. Following the service the cortege left for Mulwala Cemetery.
Many fond memories of John were then recalled at Yarrawonga Bowls Club.
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