DR. W. PIERCE ELLIS M.D.

Dr. W. Pierce Ellis

LAUREL — Dr. W. Pierce "Doc" Ellis, 94, of Laurel passed away at home Monday, June 4, 2012, surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Ellis was born in Laurel, the oldest son of the late Wilbur and Elsie Ellis. He graduated from Laurel High School's Class of 1935 and from Drexel University in 1940. Dr. Ellis graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1945 and also proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1943-47. Dr. Ellis' lifetime dedication to his fellow man, his strong community support, his leadership both in the local community and as a member of Centenary United Methodist Church were extraordinary. His passion and life's work as an excellent and caring physician serving Laurel and the surrounding communities from 1948-93 was absolutely second to none.

Dr. Ellis was a member of the American Medical Association, Medical Society of Delaware and the Sussex County Medical Society. He served as president of the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital staff from 1962-63, was a 25-year member of the Laurel Lions Club and was a member of Centenary UMC, where he served as a trustee and financial chairman. He also served as a director for Sussex Trust and Wilmington Trust Banks, was a Laurel school board member and a member of the Laurel Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member of the Laurel Redevelopment Corporation and was the recipient of the Laurel Citizen of the Year Award in 1999.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Madelon Ellis of Laurel; son, Blair Ellis and his wife, Mary, of Yorktown, Va.; daughter, Joan E. Smith and her husband, Ronald, of Collingswood, N.J.; and son-in-law, Robert Hellriegel of Las Vegas; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Ann E. Hellriegel, who passed in 1993; a grandson, John Hellriegel; and his three brothers, Richard, Joseph and Blair.

A funeral service will be held at Centenary UMC, 200 W. Market St., Laurel on Thursday at 2 p.m., where a visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 1 p.m. A viewing will also be held at Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel on Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. The Rev. Joseph G. Burris will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Laurel and will end with a reception back at Centenary UMC.

Contributions can be made in Dr. Ellis' name to Laurel Library, 101 E. Fourth St., Laurel, Del. 19956; or Nanticoke Health Services Foundation, 801 Middle Ford Road, Seaford, Del. 19973.

Online condolences can be made to the Ellis family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com.