Obituary of SSG Ronnie Lee Ellis, U.S. Army,

Ronnie Lee Ellis, 55, of Colorado Springs, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2018 following a short illness. He was surrounded by his family. Born on August 14, 1962 to Percy and Cora Mae Ellis, Ronnie grew up in Rockford, Illinois and graduated from Lutheran High School. Afterward, he briefly attended college and a technical school in Chicago before enlisting in the Army as a parachutist. He was honorably discharged after twelve years of service.A proud father, Ronnie loved his children: Christopher, 27, and Shanice, 23. He married the love of his life, Loree Erickson, on August 3, 2001.An avid sports fan, Ronnie had a special love for baseball and even tried out for the Chicago White Sox. He spent many days out on Colorado golf courses with his golf brothers. He was a skilled golfer whose highlights included two hole-in-ones and a lot of birdies and eagles.Earlier in his life, Ronnie worked in a five-star restaurant. He loved to impress guests with his culinary skills and happily took on the role of chef at home. Ronnie will be lovingly remembered by his children. He leaves many memories for them and Loree, his wife of seventeen years, to cherish. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Bert Person and Beatrice Goodwin; brother, Clinton Ellis; and brothers-in-law, Tracy Erickson and Bill Bertran.As part of a large family, Ronnie is also survived by his sister, Mary (Dave) Hicks; brothers, Percie, Jr. (Denise) Ellis, Sefus Ellis, and David (Sonia) Ellis; sister-in-law, Chris Ellis; in-laws from the Erickson family, LeRoy and Susan Erickson, Monte (Melody) Erickson, Marcy Bertran, Peggy Erickson, Jill (David Schaefer) Erickson, and Jared (Kayla) Erickson; and a host of nieces, nephews and great friends.Visitation, 9:30AM - 10:30AM, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.Celebration of Life, 10:30AM, The Springs Funeral Services.Visitation, 1:00PM - 2:00PM, Friday, August 17, 2018, Ponds Funeral Home, Rockford, Illinois.Graveside Service, 2:30PM, Friday, August 17, 2018 Cedar Bluff Cemetery, 3034, 1200 Rural Street, Rockford, Illinois 61107. Events Visitation Saturday, August 11, 2018 9:30AM - 10:30AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Celebration of Life Saturday, August 11, 2018 10:30AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Graveside Friday, August 17, 2018 2:30PM Cedar Bluff Cemetery 3034, 1200 Rural Street Rockford, IL 61107 Phone: (815) 963-7731