A June 8, 1944, Lowell Tribune article (page 1, column 2) about twenty-three Lake County men, seventeen of them fathers, being inducted included Richard L. Ellis of Shelby. He was listed as a Navy volunteer and one of the fathers.
The following June 22, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 2:
Dick Ellis at Great Lakes
Richard L. Ellis, 30, husband of Ellen B. Ellis, Shelby, is receiving his initial naval indoctrination at the U.S. Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Ill.
His "boot" training consists of instruction in seamanship, military drill, and general naval procedure. His recruit training completed, the seaman will spend a period of leave at home.
This July 19, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Richard L. Ellis, S 1/c, is back at Saipan after taking part in the battle of Okinawa, where he spent two months. He is with the amphibious forces.
The following Lowell Tribune article (Aug. 17, 1983) was found in the Local History Files at the Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 1, page 40):
Richard L. Ellis, age 68, of Fair Oaks, passed away Thurs., Aug. 11, 1983 at Brook. He is survived by his wife Ellen; four daughters, Arlene (Bernard) Dwarski of California, Terresia (David) Brown of Morocco. Marilyn (David) Trueblood of Lowell, and Leah Strickhorn of Hammond; eight grandchildren; his father, Richard E. Ellis of Alabama; three sisters, Lavaun Sawyer of Florida, Loretta Barton of Shelby, and Leona Klein of Arizona, and three brothers, Leigh Ellis of Lowell, Leo Ellis of Alabama, and Leroy Ellis of Schneider. He was preceded in death by one sister, Lorene Forbes. Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13 from Sheets Funeral Home in Lowell, with Edwin Bontreger officiating. Burial followed at Orchard Grove Cemetery in Lowell. Richard Ellis was a retired farmer, a World War II service veteran, and was a member of VFW Post 6841 in Lowell. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.