Roger Carl Ellsworth

Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the age of 89. Roger was born on December 30^th, 1933, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Hiram Sr. & Ethel (Bieri) Ellsworth and was a 1952 graduate of Saginaw High School where he attended Saginaw Tech. He started a paper route at a young age and established his work ethic early in his life, a virtue he passed on to his family. Roger worked for the Trippensee Planetarium and Wildlife Corporation for many years as a machinist and foreman and was a lifelong member of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. It was at church that Roger met Connie Spitz and the couple married on February 9^th, 1957, spending more than 66 years together prior to her passing on April 19^th, 2023. Like his wife, Roger lived to serve and support his friends, family, and community, earning himself the title of “transportation director” for the Saginaires Drum & Bugle Corp where he made sure the buses kept running as if they were a 4^th child. This mechanical mindset served him well in life and there wasn’t a car he couldn’t work on or a problem he couldn’t solve. He also developed materials for water sampling research along with Connie, putting his education and experience to good use. Roger also loved working on puzzles, and was something of a naturalist who liked canoeing, camping, fishing, and was a scout leader earlier in his life. He is remembered as being a reliable, quiet, and steady man who enjoyed the simple things in life. Roger had abundant patience and a huge heart with a lot of room in it for the family and friends he so loved. 

Roger is survived by his children R. Mark (Denise) Ellsworth, Cyndi (Jody) James, and Cheryl Ellsworth; grandchildren Alex (Kristen) Ellsworth, Zachary Ellsworth, Cole Ellsworth, and Destiny (Chad) Reikowsky; great grandchildren Mason Helpap, Logan Ellsworth, and Henry Ellsworth; and siblings Hiram “Terry” Ellsworth, Jr., Harold (Sandra) Ellsworth, David Ellsworth, and Pam (Tom) Graham; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Connie Ellsworth; sisters-in-law Dianne Ellsworth and Lois Ellsworth; and brothers-in-law Robert Spitz and Rodney Spitz.

In accordance with Roger’s wishes, cremation is to take place, with a memorial service taking place at 11:00am on Saturday, July 8^th, 2023, at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, 203 S Michigan Ave, Saginaw, MI 48602, and visitation taking place from 10:00am until the time of service. Those wanting to make a show of their sympathy may wish to consider a memorial contribution to Michigan Avenue Baptist Church or a charity of your choice. Please share your thoughts, prayers, and memories with the family at the church or through www.casefuneralhome.com.