Ellis Eugene Chism

Ellis Eugene Chism was a friend to just about anyone he ever met.  On March 26th, 2026, he experienced the joy of entering the rest of his savior Jesus Christ and greatly expanded the crowd of folks to which he has access.

Ellis was born, August 15, 1937, in rural Randolph County to Sam and Daisy Chism.  He grew up no stranger to hard work or story-worthy antics with his brother Dale Chism (Mercita), his sister Anne McCune (Kenny), and sister Mary Mallory (Russell).  Throughout his life he told many tales of his days working with his father or on the Dowding family farm in Cairo.

Ellis graduated from Renick High School in 1955 and married Marjorie Francis Chism (Crose) on March 17, 1957 (who preceded him.)  Through their 68 years of marriage, they balanced each other quite well and were as devoted to each other as they were to the Lord, serving him at Carpenter Street Baptist Church for many years and then at First Christian Church of Moberly.

Ellis and Marjorie raised two daughters who diligently cared for him until the end.  Cindy Calvert (Larry) and Cathy Galland (Mark) shared with their parents a lifetime of family gatherings and celebrations.  Ellis was dedicated to the Randolph County Saddle Club for over 20 years and made lifelong friends on frequent trail rides.

Ellis retired from Norfolk Southern in 1999, after 31 years.  He loved to play cards, ride horses, and to cheer for the St. Louis Cardinals.  He never sat still, but he was never too busy to have a friendly conversation or to tell a story; he didn’t have much use for the word “stranger.”

Ellis is survived by his daughters, 2 grandsons Aaron Hartz (Meredith) and Adam Hartz (Christina), 4 step grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Christian Church of Moberly.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held, Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Cater Funeral Home. Funeral services honoring and celebrating Ellis’s life was held Monday, March 30, 2026, in the Cater Funeral Home Chapel. Committal prayer and burial followed in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Moberly.