Ellis McRoberts

Ellis Cody McRoberts 1925 - 2011 Ellis Cody McRoberts. 85 of Boise passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father whom he had served faithfully for 65 years on Saturday April 16. 2011 surrounded by the love of his family. A graveside service with military honors by the Idaho Army National Guard of Twin Falls will be conducted at the West End Cemetery in Buhl, Idaho on Friday April 22, 2011 at 12:00 noon. A public viewing will be held on Thursday April 21, 2011 at Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N. Cloverdale Rd., Boise from 4:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. A service celebrating Ellis's life will be held the end of May in Boise following his grandson's return from Iraq. Ellis Cody McRoberts was born in Manes, Missouri November 10, 1925, the son of Ray and Clementine Woolard McRoberts. He was the sixth of eleven children. Ellis moved with his family at the age of 10 to Buhl, Idaho where he grew up on the family farm and after his school day he would work with his brothers performing the many kinds of farm duties including driving the 4 horse team and caring for 40 head of livestock. His senior year of High School was interrupted by WWII, when he was drafted March 1944 to serve with the US Army in the Asiatic Pacific Theater leaving his two older brothers to help their father on the family farm. Eventually all three would be serving their country at the same time for the cost of freedom. Ellis was honorably discharged in April 1946. He returned to Buhl where he was employed by Morrison Knudsen Co. and later Shield's Bean and Warehouse. Ellis began attending the Buhl Church of the Nazarene with his mother and met his first sweetheart Harriet H. Sievers of Twin Falls. They were married August 17, 1947 in Buhl and to this union there were three sons, Kenneth Lee, Keith J., and Steven Ray. Ellis committed his life to serving his Lord and Savior. Answering the call to full-time ministry, he completed the ministerial course of study through Northwest Nazarene College (now NNU) and was ordained an Elder by the church of the Nazarene in May of 1966. He pastored churches in Eastern Oregon and Parma, Idaho until his wife's illness required him to resign and move his family to Boise where she could receive the needed medical care for breast cancer. Harriet passed away in September of 1972. In October of 1973 Ellis met his second sweetheart. Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Conrad and they were married March 1974 at Boise First Church of the Nazarene where they had been introduced by Ellis's cousin. In 1978 Ellis and Betty became charter members of the Boise Five Mile Church of the Nazarene and continued to serve faithfully in an active and supportive roll to the ministry of this church. He also continued his employment as a glazier, retiring from Ponderosa Paint and Glass in 1993. After retirement Ellis and Betty enjoyed entertaining friends and family in their home and traveling, especially to favorite places on the Oregon Coast, but nothing was more beautiful to see than their own State of Idaho. Ellis treasured the simple things in life, his family, friends and church. He loved people and people loved him. He was a jokester and had a very infectious laugh. He would drive out of his way for an ice cream cone and spent hours putting together thousand piece Thomas Kincaid jigsaw puzzles, many of which have been preserved and framed. Ellis is survived by his wife Betty of 37 years, his sister Jeanette Pilant (Harvey) of Twin Falls, his brother Darrell (Joyce) of Meridian, his sons Kenneth (Gigi) of Yuma. AZ. Keith (Jennifer) Meridian; Steven (Ethel) Boise, Grandchildren Tonnie McRoberts Bonners Ferry, ID, Bryan Ellis McRoberts Nampa, Major Cody McRoberts (Teresa) Boise, Kellie (Matt) LaBonte Boise, step grandchildren Zachery Mallavia, Northhampton, MA and Ryan Mallavia, Phoenix, AZ, Great-Grandchildren Nicholas, Mitchell and Makayla Vandenberg, Trevor and Dominick McRoberts, Josh and Cassie McRoberts, Syvanna, Lanie and Madilyn LaBonte and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Harriet, brothers Carl, Earl, Fred, Don, and sisters Verna Sullens, Vada Freeman, Winnie Walker, June Ainsworth, Great-Grandson Nathaniel Vandenberg and his angel babies infant Great-Granddaughters Angela and Alyssa LaBonte and infant Great-Grandson Isaiah LaBonte. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Boise Rescue Mission or the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries through the Meridian Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene or your favorite charity. The family extends grateful appreciation to the staff at Overland Court Generations, Heart and Home Hospice, Dr. Lisa Kern and staff for their attentive and loving care of Ellis. We also express appreciation and thanks to his brother Darrel, Paul Fee and Richard Judy for their constant dedication, love and support for Ellis over the past several years. His battle and struggle with Dementia is over and the life with Christ has begun. Although he will be greatly missed, we rejoice in his home going. No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9. To submit memories and condolences to the family, please visit Ellis's memorial webpage online at www.CloverdaleFuneralHome.com.