Gregory “Greg” Alvord Ellcey, 85
Gregory “Greg” Alvord Ellcey, 85, of Marshalltown, IA, went to be with the Lord and the loved ones who passed before him on January 15, 2023. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m., January 28, 2023, at First Congregational Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2023, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown or Iowa River Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Greg was born in Blissfield, Michigan, on November 30, 1937, to Alvord “Bud” and Arlene (VanBuren) Ellcey. He married the love of his life Barbara Ann Pech December 10, 1960, in Milwaukee, WI. They welcomed their first daughter, Amy, in 1961 and their second, Beth, six years later. Greg was a caring and attentive father and husband. Always one to encourage a celebration for Christmas, birthdays or any other special day, he made many treasured memories with the family.
Growing up, he enjoyed nature and all the outdoor activities Michigan had to offer. As a young man, he attended Johnson Bible College and later Concordia Theological Seminary paving his way to a long career in ministry. Through his career he served the Christian Church in Denver, IL, then Wataga Congregational Church in Wataga, IL and retired in 2002 from the First Congregational Church in Marshalltown. Greg combined his love of the church and nature by leading church camp for many summers. Even in his retirement, Greg continued to serve churches in need in a part-time capacity and never truly stopped working.
To know Greg was to know true kindness, compassion and patience. He had a love for the outdoors, his family, his many friends and his pets. Later in life he and Barb found great joy in traveling with their dear friend Rachel and enjoying the sites far and wide. As a servant leader, he contributed to his community, being a longtime member of the Lions Club. Greg was a man of sincere words and never without a story that would leave you with wisdom or a chuckle. You were most likely to hear his stories around a fire or over a drink.
Greg was welcomed to heaven by his parents and firstborn, Amy Holman.
Left to cherish the memory of Greg are his wife of 62 years, Barb; daughter, Beth Ellcey-Holt, of Galesburg, IL; baby brother, Allan (Delores) Ellcey, of Beaver Dam, WI; his grandchildren, Sam (Corinne Nance) Holman and Emily (Ben Leezer) Holman as well as great grandchildren: Charlotte, Rylan and Archer; his nieces, nephews, in-laws, his devoted cat Marley and all those who got to be part of his stories.