Remembering Bishop Paul Ellis,
1912-2003

Rev. Paul N. Ellis, age 90, died April 4, 2003 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born on September 30, 1912 in Birds, Illinois. He was an ordained minister of the Free Methodist Church, beginning his pastoral ministry in 1934 and serving churches in Indianapolis and Marshfield, Indiana; Olney and Urbana, Illinois; Toronto, Canada and — after retirement — Lakeland, Florida. In 1964 he was elected bishop and served the general church until he retired in 1979. Ellis attended Greenville College, graduated from the University of Illinois, Phi Beta Kappa, and received honorary doctorates from Greenville College, Seattle Pacific University and Asbury Theological Seminary.

Bishop Ellis was committed to serving others in the name of Christ. He served on numerous general church and interdenominational boards and committees and ministered to pastors, missionaries and national church leaders around the world. He was a wide reader, an earnest preacher and wise administrator. He authored numerous articles and Bible studies and two books. Daily he sought to express the fruit of the spirit in his own life.

Ellis was a devoted husband and loving father who showed great care and interest in his entire family. He is survived by his wife, Naomi Rowand Diddle Ellis; a brother, Dr. Eldon E. (Virginia) Ellis of Belmont, California; a sister, Ruth (Lowell) Bergfield of Arcola, Illinois; three sons, John P. (Shirley), Stanley E. (Jolene) and Charles W. (Joanne), all of Indianapolis; nine grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the John Wesley Free Methodist Church, 5900 West 46th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2003. Family visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 at the church prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to International Childcare Ministries of the Free Methodist Church.