Dewain “Shorty” L. Ellis, 89, Marshfield, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at House of the Dove, Marshfield.
Dewain was born on March 16, 1937, in Hickory Grove, Grant County, Wisconsin, to Graydon and Louisa (Roth) Ellis. He attended Gays Mills High School and went on to serve in the United States Army. On November 17, 1962, he married the love of his life, Donna Rotar, at Corpus Christi church in Bakerville, WI.
Dewain worked as a backhoe operator and was a proud member of the Operating Engineers. He spent many years working for Mueller Pipeliners and then, after suffering a back injury that ended his ability to operate his backhoe and do clean up work for Mueller Pipeliners, he went on to work for five years at the YMCA in Marshfield until his retirement.
At the age of 56, he went back to school and earned his HSED. Outside of work, Dewain enjoyed attending sporting events involving his grandchildren until his back pain limited his ability to attend them. He also loved returning to Boscobel, where he grew up, and enjoyed picking watercress with his Uncle Dale. Dewain and his wife Donna also enjoyed getting away in their motorhome and wintered in Texas for a few years. Known for his sweet tooth, Dewain looked forward to his morning coffee and doughnut and was never opposed to sneaking a few cookies at night.
Dewain is survived by his wife, Donna Ellis; his children, Randy (Irene) Ellis of Marshfield and Debra (Rick) Long of Marshfield; six grandchildren, Adam (Natalie) Carolfi, Jason (Lindsay) Carolfi, Travis (Jennifer) Ellis, MacGyver Ellis, Nicole (Aaron) Cepress, and Aimee Feint, and numerous step grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren, Donevan, Jayde, Madden, Sofia, Savannah, Shyanne, Hunter, Peyton, Braylon, Lincoln, Deitrik (Abbie), Malachi, Tahneya, Aliyah, Adrian, Archer, Auden, and numerous step great grandchildren and step great, great grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister-in-law, Joyce Ellis, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Bessie and Henry Roth; parents, Graydon and Louisa Ellis; granddaughter, Jill Ellis; his brother, Arnold Ellis; his sisters in law, Darlene Franklin and Betty Bohman; his mother and father in law, Frank and Veronica Rotar; brother in law, Joseph Bohman; and special uncle, Dale Roth.
The family extends a special thank you to the compassionate nurses and staff of Compassus Hospice and House of the Dove in Marshfield for their exceptional care and support.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield.
Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com
Author: News Desk
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