Howard Ellis, Jr.

Howard Ellis Jr., 94, of Hawarden (most recently Akron, Iowa), passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025.

A funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, June 30, 2025 at the First Christian Church, Onawa, Iowa with Pastor Clif Cockburn, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Howard’s obituary. Burial will follow in the Onawa Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force and the David McNeill American Legion Post #129, Onawa, Iowa. A visitation will be 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sunday, June 29, 2025 at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel, Onawa, Iowa with Masonic Rites at 5:00 P.M. with Steve Jewett, orator.  Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Howard was born on February 17, 1931, “halfway between Turin and Moorhead, Iowa.” He was the seventh son in a family of thirteen children born to Howard Ellis and Bertha Jones. He grew up in the Onawa/Sloan area and joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 18, beginning a lifetime of service to his country and community.

On March 2, 1951, Howard married Lula Mae Pfannstiel, and together they raised four children. After his military service, he worked for Swift & Co., the Iowa Air National Guard, and later the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in July 1990.

Howard served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1949 to 1952, proudly working as a drill instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He later joined the Iowa Air National Guard, serving from 1961 to 1984. During that time, he was called to active duty in 1968. He retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Iowa Air National Guard from 1980 to 1984 — one of just 50 individuals across the United States to hold that role at the time. Howard was deeply proud of his military service and rarely went without his retired Air Force hat.

Howard dedicated much of his life to civic service. He served on the city councils of Sloan, Hornick, and Onawa, Iowa, and was mayor of both Sloan and Hornick. He also served as fire chief of Hornick. His leadership and dedication to his communities were deeply valued and widely respected.

In his spare time, Howard enjoyed fishing, hunting, and attending car races. From 1990 to 2022, he spent his winters in Texas, enjoying the warmth and community there. 

Howard is survived by his children: Lynda (Roger) Otten, Pam (Don) Banta, Laura (Jim) Sailer, and daughter-in-law Brenda Ellis; grandchildren: Brian Tillman, Charles (Teri Kelly) Banta, Christine (Cole) Hornbuckle, Nicole Hoogland, Jeffrey (Megan) Sailer, Bethany (Derek) Washington, Sara (Zach) Meyer, and Aaron (Autumn) Ellis; and great-grandchildren: Madeline Hoogland, Jacob Hoogland, Caragan Hornbuckle, Calvin Hornbuckle, Roman Washington, Declan Washington, Theo Meyer, Elsie Meyer, and Sylvie Sailer. Howard married Sharon Losey in 2011.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lula Mae; his son, Dr. David Ellis; his parents, Howard and Bertha; and siblings Marie, Mildred, Lula, Hazel, Loretta, Frances, Charles, Max, Harold, Dayle, Don, and Dean.

Howard’s life was one of service, strength, and devotion—to his country, his community, and, most of all, his family. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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