Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't just sit in your chest; it complicates your schedule, your phone calls, and your internet searches. When you’re looking for ellis funeral home obituaries, you aren't just looking for a date or a time. You're looking for a person. You're looking for a way to say goodbye without the tech getting in the way.
Honestly, it can be a bit confusing because there isn't just one "Ellis Funeral Home." There are several across the country—from the high plains of Midland, Texas, to the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, and the neighborhoods of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Each one has its own way of handling records.
Finding the Right Record
The first thing you’ve got to do is figure out which Ellis you’re actually looking for. Usually, people are searching for the one in Midland or the one in Nashville, but there are family-owned spots in Detroit and St. Louis too.
If you're looking for the Ellis Funeral Home obituaries in Midland, Texas, you'll likely find them hosted on a platform like We Remember or through the Midland Reporter-Telegram. For example, recent listings include folks like Shirley Clelland and Joe Phillip Liberty, whose services were held right at the start of 2026. These local records often include more than just a dry list of survivors. They’ve got stories—bits about high school graduations, favorite hobbies, or decades spent working at places like Warren CAT.
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In Nashville, the process is slightly different. The Ellis Funeral Home & Cremation Service on Nolensville Pike uses a digital tribute wall. It’s kinda nice because it allows you to light a virtual candle or post a photo. It’s less about a newspaper clipping and more about a living digital space.
Why the Search Matters
Obituaries are basically the last public story someone gets. It’s where we learn that a grandmother was an "enthusiastic fan of the St. Louis Cardinals" or that a father was a "fierce warrior" against a short illness. These details matter. They’re what make the person real to someone who didn't know them, and they bring comfort to those who did.
How to Navigate the Online Listings
Most of these funeral homes have moved away from just printing a paragraph in the local Sunday paper. Now, you’ve got options.
- The Direct Website: This is the most reliable. Go to the specific funeral home's "Obituary Listing" page.
- Tribute Technology Platforms: Many Ellis locations use third-party software like Tribute Archive. If the main site is down, these often host the same data.
- Local Newspapers: For older records, the Midland Reporter-Telegram or the Tennessean are your best bets.
Searching is usually simple. You just type in the last name. But heads up—if the person passed away very recently, like within the last 48 hours, the full text might not be up yet. Often, there’s just a "service pending" notice while the family gets the details together.
Writing an Obituary for Ellis Funeral Home
If you’re the one who has to write the piece, it feels like a lot of pressure. It shouldn't. The staff at places like Ellis in Nashville or Fort Wayne usually provide a template to help you out.
Basically, you need the "stats" first. Full name, age, hometown, and the date they passed. But don't stop there. People want to know what they loved. Did they spend every Saturday at the lake? Were they famous for their purple cabbage at Christmas?
Keep it real. You don't need to use flowery, "dignified" language if that wasn't who they were. If they were a bit of a jokester, it's okay to mention that. Most Ellis locations allow you to include a photo, which really helps the page feel personal.
Real Examples of Recent Tributes
Looking at current records from January 2026, you see a wide range of lives. You’ve got people like Rev. Michael Vincent McDevitt in the St. Louis area, whose guestbook is filled with notes about his kindness and "down to earth" nature. Then you have someone like Patsy Ellen Hopson in Midland, whose obituary traces her life all the way back to her 1953 high school graduation. These aren't just names; they're blueprints of lives well-lived.
The Cost Factor
One thing nobody talks about enough is that newspapers often charge by the word. This is why the digital versions of ellis funeral home obituaries are so popular now. On the funeral home's own website, you can usually write as much as you want for free. You can list all twelve siblings, every grandchild, and every charity they ever supported without worrying about a $500 bill from the local paper.
Using the "Memorial" Features
When you find the obituary you’re looking for, you’ll see buttons for "Send Flowers" or "Plant a Tree."
- Flower Orders: Most Ellis sites partner with local florists. It’s convenient, though sometimes a bit pricier than calling a shop yourself.
- Grief Support: Many of these homes, like Sullivan-Ellis in East Moline, offer a year of daily grief support emails. It sounds like a lot, but for some people, those little notes in their inbox really help.
- Donations: If the family requested "in lieu of flowers," there’s usually a direct link to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude right on the page.
What If You Can't Find Someone?
If you're searching for ellis funeral home obituaries and coming up empty, check the spelling. Seriously. Or, check if the person is listed under a maiden name. Sometimes the record is under "Ellis-Resthaven" instead of just "Ellis."
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Also, keep in mind that some families choose not to publish an obituary at all. It’s rare, but it happens for privacy reasons. If that’s the case, you might have to contact the home directly, though they are limited in what they can tell you due to privacy laws.
Moving Forward with the Information
Once you have the details, you can plan your next move. Whether that’s attending the visitation, sending a card, or just having a moment of silence.
- Verify the Service Location: Locations can change. Always double-check the time and address on the morning of the service.
- Check the Live Stream: If you can't travel, many Ellis locations now offer a "Live Webcast" of the service. You might need a password from the family to access it.
- Save the Link: Digital obituaries can be taken down after a few years unless the family pays for a "permanent" memorial. If it’s a close friend, copy the text into a document for your own records.
Knowing how to find and use these records makes a hard time just a little bit easier. It’s about more than just data—it’s about keeping a connection to the people who shaped our lives.