BIGNELL, Ellis Frederick

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Ellis Frederick Bignell, 87, of Lake Havasu City, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Nov. 24, 2009. He had battled cancer for the past several years. Ellis was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Horace and Freda Bignell, and was the second of five children. He served in the Canadian Navy during World War II, and in 1952, he moved to California, working as a tool and die maker. He started his first plastic injection molding company in 1966, which he sold in 1970; then in 1973, started up Ele Corporation, which he owned and operated until selling it in 1995. About that time, he semi-retired to Lake Havasu City, where he and his wife Gloria have lived full time since his retirement. Ellis enjoyed taking his jeep out with his many friends in the Havasu 4 Wheelers Club, and until his health deteriorated, he also boated all over the lake with family and friends. Ellis also enjoyed cars and had many different cars over the years, which he enjoyed fixing up and driving. Ellis leaves behind his beloved wife, Gloria; stepson, Gary Amos and his wife Kathy, of Lake Havasu City; daughter, Tracy and her husband Carlos Vega, of Sacramento; sisters, Anis Wager and Miriam Wager, both of Canada; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two of his children, Kelly and Wayne. A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Words of comfort and inspiration will be provided by Jeremy Bryan, husband of Ellis’ granddaughter Ali. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.