Ellis E. Monk

Ellis E. Monk, 83, passed away on February 23, 2010. Ellis was born in Des Moines and was a proud graduate and President of his East High Class 1945. Throughout his lifetime he supported and promoted East High School. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Ellis graduated from Drake University, class of 1949.

Ellis was a 50 year member of the East Gate Masonic Lodge and a member of the King David Masonic Lodge of Altoona. He was a 33 Degree Mason of the Des Moines Scottish Rite consistory, Past- Potentate of Za Ga Zig Shrine, Imperial EWG, Royal Order of the Jesters, and a Shrine Hospital Dad. He was instrumental in building the Za Ga Zig Shrine in Altoona. He served on several boards including, the Shriner’s Children Hospital in Minneapolis. An East-sider at heart, he served on the Bright Foundation which benefits the East Side of Des Moines.

In 1965, Ellis and his wife Jerry started Artistic Manufacturing Corporation and decided to manufacture church ware products made from brass, silver, gold, and aluminum. In the following three decades the company would grow 300 percent with the help of the family of workers over the next 50 years, thus making Artistic the largest church ware manufacturer in the world.

Ellis is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jerry; sons, Tom of Des Moines and Randy of Ankeny; daughter, Dee (Alan) Westphal of Menomonie, WI; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Terry.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2010 at Grant Park Christian Church, E. 25th & Capitol followed by burial at Altoona Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12 to 8 p.m. with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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