Michael DeWane Ells passed away February 4, 2024, in Big Rapids, MI surrounded by his family.
Mike, and his identical twin brother, David, were born September 24, 1942, to Nadia and David Ells, a shoe salesman, in Portland, OR. Upon their birth, Mike’s mom exclaimed, “All I ever wanted was a daughter, and I got these two d@#!ed boys!” This was, of course, the generation of "Children should be seen and not heard" and throughout their childhood Mike and his brother disobeyed this rule to their fullest potential.
By 6th grade, Mike and his family had moved 11 times before settling in the southwestern Oregon town of Grants Pass. Mike spent his middle and high school years there, graduating from Grants Pass High School in 1960. Mike was on the high school cheer squad, played the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz, and raised and showed rabbits in 4H. Mike attended Oregon State University before graduating with a degree in Public Health from Washington State University. His college summers were spent alongside his twin brother on a USFS Fire Crew, working out of the Snow Creek Ranger District at Mt. Bachelor near Bend, OR. Between OSU and WSU, Mike was a chemical analyst at the Hanford Nuclear Site, a series of DOD plutonium generation reactors. Around that time, a certain pretty lifeguard caught Mike’s eye and he feigned distress in the water to get her attention. That won the heart of Carol Crose and they were married in August 1965.
After graduating from WSU, Mike began his public health career in Aberdeen, WA where he worked for three years before moving to Hawaii to attend The University of Hawaii, earning his MPH. Mike and Carol both claim they weren’t able to enjoy Hawaii while in graduate school, but their children have seen photographic evidence to the contrary! Additionally, Mike completed an NSF post-graduate fellowship at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Mike was devoted to academics and proud to be a Professor of Environmental Health at Ferris State University for 34 years. Voted by his peers a Distinguished Faculty Member, he encouraged his students’ spirited inquiry, and inspired them to be lifelong learners as he was through his research. One area of research interest was the human impact of the mountaineering community climbing at Mount Rainier National Park. While this scholarly research was shared broadly amongst the Public Health, National Park Service and climbing communities, his family joked that, “Dad’s confirmed that sh*t does indeed roll downhill!” Lastly, for 33 years, Mike was the Faculty Adviser to the student led Ferris Environmental Health Association, winner of Best Student Environmental Health chapter in the nation many times over.
With a heart for service to others, Mike participated in public health campaigns, and was not deterred by challenging opposition. He was proud of his years of service to the Governing board of Mecosta County General Hospital in Big Rapids, now Corewell Health, proud to be an Assistant Scoutmaster to Boy Scout Troop 114 in Big Rapids, and proud of his Presidency on the PTA.
Mike and Carol raised their children in Northern Michigan. Summers were spent packed into a station wagon, FSU vans and Boy Scout buses attending professional conferences, camping, scouting, and site seeing in regional, USFS and national parks. One of our favorite memories was alpine skiing where, when we were cold, Mike would unzip his ski jacket and wrap it around us, warming us up. Of course this was the era before ski helmets, which would’ve been as verboten as seatbelts were in the 1970s and 80s, and only mild concussions were observed! Time spent with the Scouts provided greater access to nature and the outdoor world, and both sons earned their Eagle Scout awards. Mike was known to wake up the Troop at the Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp by mischievously sneaking into the barracks and yelling, “It’s A Great Day For Scouting!” He was equally happy to sit at the rink, watching his daughter figure skate or in the sideline crowd as she ran cross country. Fabulous family memories were made and will live on with us all.
Mike was so very proud of his grandchildren. He cherished his time with them, from concerts, hiking, playing at the lakes and traveling, to discussing what they were excited about in school and their future plans. He listened, and he loved hearing about the grandkids' adventures. Because of this, they all had special connections. He was known for his sideline sports photography, his sourdough pancake breakfasts with grandkids and their roommates, and for having a way of sharing a joke that made you feel like you were getting away with something. Carrying his humor, spirit of inquiry and adventure forward are Jackson and Grace Ells (Aaron), Rachael and Connor Ells (Jeffrey), and Asher and Greyson Newman (Kimberly).
Mike is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Crose Ells. They have had a love story for the ages, raising a family together in Big Rapids, taking many travel adventures, pursuing their hobbies and interests in retirement, and enjoying a second community of friends in Tucson, their sun-kissed winter home for many years.
Mike is also survived by his children, Jeffrey (Kelly Payne) Ells of Cedar Springs, MI, Aaron (Sarah Buehler) Ells of Flagstaff, AZ and Kimberly (Steve) Newman of Haslett, MI. Finally, Mike is survived by his identical twin brother David (Lynne Hammerstad) Ells of Centennial, CO. He was preceded in death by Nadia and David Ells and Frances and Harry Crose.
Big Rapids and our family home will always be home, but it will forever be missing his joy, his enthusiasm and his presence. Mike’s life and memory will forever be celebrated by those who knew him, and a Celebration of Life will be announced in the coming weeks.
Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids.
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