Obituary of Roberts H. Ellison

Heltonville – Roberts “Bob” Ellison, 81, of Heltonville, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, August 13, 2023. Born January 16, 1942, in Bedford, he was the son of Thomas Hubert Ellison and Mary Roberts Ellison. He married Judith Wilson on July 13, 1962. He graduated from West High School in Madison, Wisconsin; the University of Wisconsin; and Troy State University. He had a distinguished twenty-year career in the United States Air Force. His numerous decorations include multiple Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medals, and Air Force Commendations. He also received the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. During the Vietnam War, he flew 289 combat missions in the B-57 Canberra and had the honor of flying with then-Col. Charles “Chuck” Yeager. He was predeceased by his parents and infant brother. Survivors include Judie, his wife of 61 years, and six adult children: Daniel Ellison, Kelly Locke, and Mary Scott, all of Heltonville; Robert, of Huntington, West Virginia; David, of Copperas Cove, Texas; and Dawn Dixon, of Southport, North Carolina. He was “Grandpa Bob” to William Cornell; Ace, Hunter, and Emmalee Ellison; Lillian Ellison-Hosburg; Janay Hanners; Tiffany, Alexander, and Dayequana Locke; and Nathan Scott, as well as seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Judy Hendrickson, of Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was a foster parent, church youth leader, trustee of Erie United Methodist Church, and member of the Pleasant Run Volunteer Fire Department and Heltonville Area Veterans. He was most proud of his lifelong association with the Boy Scouts of America. He started at the age of seven and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1958. He was a Pack and Den Leader, Scoutmaster, Trail-to-Eagle mentor, and member of the Order of the Arrow. He was on the staff of four National Jamborees; in 1998, he received the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to Youth. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 16, from 4:00-8:00pm at the Day & Carter Mortuary in Beford, and again on Thursday, August 17, from 11am-noon at Erie United Methodist Church, 1718 Erie Church Road, Bedford. The funeral will be held immediately afterward; military honors will be rendered by the Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com; memorial donations may also be made to the Gilgal Cemetery Association (34 Railroad St, Heltonville, IN 47436; 812.834.6782) or the Hoosier Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America (5625 E. State Route 46, Bloomington, IN, 47401; 812.336.6809).