Ellis King Howland, Jr., long-time resident of Kimberling City, MO, passed away on July 23, 2016 in Springfield, MO. He was 88.
Ellis, affectionately known as EK, ‘Killer’, The King, Grampa Peanut Song and ‘The G’, among other honorary titles, was born with the assistance of his visiting grandfather, Clarence, in New Bedford, MA on April 14, 1928. Only child to Helen Howland (née Calnen) and Ellis King Howland, Sr., Ellis spent his formative years making life-long friends, collecting stories and honing his status as a “true gentleman”.
He graduated Killingly High School in 1946 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army, 25th Division, 35th Regiment, Intelligence and Recon, Sharpshooter Designation. He received the Good Conduct Medal from his service in Kyoto, Japan (1946-48) and received an honorable discharge.
In 1948, he met his future bride, Elaine Howland (née Wood), while driving his Good Humor Ice Cream truck route in Connecticut. The two married four years later on March 15, 1952 in Danielson, CT. That same year he graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Public Relations and Communications.
Ellis went on to graduate from the University of Illinois – Champagne Urbana in 1954 with a Master’s of Business degree in Labor and Industrial Relations. The two lovebirds then relocated to Chicago where they welcomed their first daughter, Arden Rae, to the world in 1958, followed by Allison Victoria (“Tory”) in 1962 and Dana Ruth in 1964. Needless to say, he was outnumbered.
In addition to befriending the entire population of Chicago’s southern suburbs, Ellis spent the next forty years working in the Business to Business advertising sector. He served as the principal at two advertising agencies with primary promotional activity in industrial transportation and shipping.

In 1992, Ellis and Elaine celebrated their retirement by moving to the low-tax, high-excitement state of Missouri. They found themselves surrounded by new and loving friends and dedicated much of their collective energy to fishing and enjoying their new, much quieter lives. That said, they also committed considerable time to visit friends and family around the country and continued to care for their eldest daughter, Arden.

He would say they “lived the dream”, although Elaine was dubious that their shared dream included Ellis turning off his hearing aid while watching the Cubbies play the Cardinals.
It’s undeniable that Ellis’ most spectacular quality was his steadfast dedication to family and friends; his address book rivals that of any modern-day teenager, albeit hand-written.
While we are heartbroken to say goodbye to one of the loveliest, most devoted, wittiest human beings to ever walk this earth, we know we were privileged to share our lives with his. ‘Who loves ya baby?!’
Ellis was preceded in death by his loving, red-headed bride, Elaine A. Howland.
He is survived by daughters: Arden Rae Howland of Oak Park, IL, Allison “Tory” Dietrich (née Howland) and husband Scott Dietrich of St. Charles, IL, and Dana Ruth Sadler (née Howland) of Scottsdale, AZ; Grandchildren Calnen “Annie” Swingen (née Earley) and husband Lee Swingen, Zachary Ellis Doig, Carly Ellis Dietrich, Lucas Richard Sadler and Brooke “Lainey” Sadler; and, great-grandson Ellis King Swingen.

A celebration of life will be held on July 26, 2016 at Leona’s (14981 Business Highway 13, Kimberling City, MO) from 11-1 PM. Ellis requested that donations be made the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in lieu of flowers.
Permanent online condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.