Ellis Shotwell, 79, of Ionia, passed away January 4, 2004 in Ionia. He was born January 8, 1924 in Belding the son of Vernon and Kitty (Lawrence) Shotwell. He graduated from high school in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1942. In January 1943 he went in to the Navy for five years serving during WWII and learned the Japanese Code.
He was in the Navy Secret Service. He also served in the Korean War for sixteen months learning Russian Code for Secret Service. Ellis went to Michigan State in 1947 for three years where he went into radio announcing. He started WKAR in East Lansing then went to WJEF Fetzer Broadcasting Co. for 3 1/2 years. He was the first one on the air for WMAX in Grand Rapids, and he also worked part-time for the Detroit Free Press writing newspaper articles. He was the first one on the air February 3, 1953 for WION. The country music show called Radio Rodeo. He worked for Fisher Body (GM) from 1968 to 1978 before returning to radio which was his love.
Ellis was a member of the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and was currently a member of the Ionia VFW. He married Clara June Kinney (Reed) December 31, 1953 in Ionia who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his children, James Kinney of Ionia, Steve Kinney of Greenville, Jane (Patrick) Hummel of Ionia, Kitty (Thomas) Lower, Jeff (Becky) Shotwell, Scott (Teresa) Shotwell of Ionia; fourteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one grandson, Gregory.