Ellis E. Kell

Ellis E. Kell, Jr., 61 of Rock Island, died suddenly on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at his home. A celebration of Ellis's life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Adler Theater, Davenport. Visitation is 2:00 pm until service time Wednesday at the Adler. A musical tribute and jam session to honor Ellis will follow the Adler service, it will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the River Music Experience (RME). Private inurnment will be at a later date at Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be created later. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral and Crematory, Rock Island is in charge of arrangements. Ellis was born Aug. 26, 1955 in Rock Island, a son of Ellis Sr. and Rose Chambers Kell. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1973. Ellis received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Augustana College. He married Kristi E. Swanson on June 30, 1984 in Rock Island. Ellis began his working career at the Rock Island Argus, later the Argus/Dispatch. He was one of the creators of QC Online, the paper's internet service. Ellis was the Director of Programming and Community Outreach for the River Music Experience, joining the RME in its early years of formation. Ellis was known for his many years of providing great music and his mentorship of young musicians. He with his wife, Kristi, created the Karli Rose Kell Music Scholarship Fund, in memory of their late daughter, Karli Rose, to assist young musicians. Ellis supported HavLife, Living Lands and Waters and Gilda's Club, along with many other community organizations that he believed in. Ellis loved the Quad City area which was his home. Survivors include his wife, Kristi; daughter, Ali Kell Caves, Bettendorf; grandchildren, Karli Rose Caves and Jackson Bickel, Bettendorf; his mother, Rose Kell, Rock Island; sisters, Marcia Geisler, Davenport and Sandra (Robert) Doyle, Louisville, Ky.; mother-in-law, Bonnie Swanson, Omaha, Neb.; sisters-in-law, Terri (Douglas) Jones, Omaha and Lisa Gotthardt (Rick Salmonson), Moline; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ellis Sr.; daughter, Karli Rose; father-in-law, Ed Swanson, who died later that same day; and brother-in-law, Bill Geisler. Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.

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