James Ellett, 59, of Indianapolis, passed away Friday, October 9th, with his family at his side. He was a retiree of the United States Postal Service, and proudly served in the United States Navy as a Seabee.
Jim was born in Gary Indiana in 1956, and raised in Sauk Village, Illinois. He attended Bloom High School in Chicago Heights. He was employed by USPS for near 30 years. He has lived in Indianapolis since 1998, with his wife, Pam, where their love of home, traveling and pets brought great fulfillment to his life.
Pam and Jim married in New Orleans, and it was a favorite destination of theirs, as well as Key West and other southern locations. Jim spent five years in Jacksonville after the Navy.
His CB (Seabee) training, as well as working with his electrician father, instilled in Jim a lifelong love of fixing and building. He and Pam’s shared interest in home improvement made them a great team and their home was his sanctuary.
Jim was a proud father of his only child, Heather Phelps, raised near Gurnee IL. He was also delighted when he became a grandfather to Avery and Landon. He will now be their guardian in heaven.
Jim’s journey through a cancer diagnosis and treatment was difficult, but he handled it with grace and dignity. He was extremely grateful for the care he received at both Community North Cancer Center in Indianapolis, and MD Anderson in Houston.
He is also survived by his sister, Shari Hooton and brother Tom Ellett, as well as his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gertie and Chuck Ellett of Sauk Village, IL. He is also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Dale Fozo.
Pamela Fozo says
Rest in Peace my Beloved. Your life was too short, but it was a life well lived.
Ramona Young says
my thoughts and prayers go out to all of Jims family. Growing up with Jim, spending summer vacation at his house was some of my best memories. I miss Aunt Gertie and Uncle Chuck all the time, now Jim will be with them and I will be missing him…we just caught up with each other and for that I’m so grateful. To all of Jims family he will be in our hearts forever
Love
Cousin Mona
Pamela Fozo says
I also want to include that Jim had a devoted sister-in-law in Cleo Ellett, wife of Tom, as well as his wife’s Fozo family of South Bend.
Sharon Zielinski McClellan says
How I wish we were there. Please know we love and care for all of you. Shari and/or Tom please contact us. My phone is 623-414-1724.
Judy Bays says
Pam,
I am sorry for your loss. He fought a long battle and can finally rest. I will keep you and the family in my prayers. If you need anything at all even just to talk, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Judy
Cheri Sweitzer says
Pam,
I have you and the family in my prayers. I enjoyed working with Jim in Terre Haute and then later in Indianapolis. His creation of ugly Hawaiian shirt day was a highlight of the year. He was a great guy. Cheri
Willie strickland says
The family of Jim Ellett I just found out that Jim passed away. To the family my sincere condolences in the passing of your loved one to God be the glory I work with Jim if a Gary Indiana post office for many many years I like you as a person he wasn’t very ambitious young man and good with electricity to God be the glory his family love him but God love them both sleep my brother sleep rest in peace take your rest no pain no sorrow is eternal life