James Oscar Ellis

James Oscar Ellis, age 94, of East Moline, died Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Lighthouse at Silvis.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2012 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Entombment will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.
James was born February 28, 1918 in Moline, IL, the son of Oscar William and Ethel (Meyers) Ellis. He married Wanda Isabelle Tash in Bluffs, IL in 1948. She preceded him in death on August 4, 2011. James attended Western Military Academy in Alton, IL where he was the valedictorian. He later graduated from MIT in 1940. James was an Army veteran of WWII having received the Bronze Star with clusters. Upon returning from the war he joined his father in the family business, Moline Consumers. James was a man of many accomplishments and achievements such as: Board of Directors, Chairman, and President of Moline Consumers Company now known as RiverStone Group, Inc.; Board of Directors and President of Central Stone Company; Board of Directors for Knox County Stone; Board of Directors and President of LeClaire Investment; Board of Directors for Bank One; Board of Directors for Blackhawk State Bank; Board of Directors and President of Allied Stone Company; Board of Directors and Vice President for Appanoose Salvage, Inc.; Board of Directors and Vice President for Missouri Sand and Gravel; Board of Directors and Vice President for Bussen Quarries; Board of Directors for Consumers Sales Agency; Board of Directors and President for Gem City Ready-Mixed Concrete Company; Board of Directors for LeClaire Hotel; Board of Directors and President for Rock Island Ready-Mixed Concrete Company; Board of Directors and Vice President for Ruprecht Quarry Company; Board of Directors and Vice President for H. Trautman Quarry, Inc., Board of Directors and President for Vandruff Quarry; Board of Directors and Executive Vice President for WeCo Corporation, Sheridan Sand & Gravel, Western Sand & Gravel, Barstow Farms, Imperial Sales, Consumers of LaSalle, and Gem City Distributing; Founder and past President of Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers; Founder of Jefferson Barracks Underground Storage and involved with a number of other businesses and organizations.
SURVIVORS
Daughters Mary (James) Grafton
Susan Ellis
Bonnie Ellis
Sons Charles (Ann) Ellis
James (Lynn) Ellis
Many grandchildren & great grandchildren
Sister Bette Phillips Pittsburg, PA
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a son, Oscar William Ellis II.
Online condolences may be expressed to his family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.