West Frankfort newsman, former mayor, Bob Ellis, dead at 82

One of the most recognizable names in the suthern Illinois newspaper industry passed away Friday.

Bob "Hawk" Ellis, 82, of West Frankfort, had devoted more than 50 years of his life to journalism. Ellis was a retired managing editor of the now-defunct Daily American newspaper. He also worked for a short time at the Eldorado Daily Journal between 1980-1982.

Ellis was hired in 1968 by Larry Perrotto, who had just purchased the Daily American and still today owns myriad publications through Community Media.

"When I first met Bob, he was managing a shoe store on Main Street. I knew he had quite an interest in sports through his involvement in softball and golf, so when our sports editor was hired away by the Mount Vernon newspaper, I asked Bob if he wanted the job. He accepted. That's how it all started," Perrotto said.

Perrotto described Ellis, who was not formally trained as a journalist, as "a natural writer."

What Ellis also possessed, Perrotto said, was "an affinity" for the community of West Frankfort and "a great wit."

One-line jokes were an Ellis staple.

Perrotto said Ellis worked under the veteran leadership of longtime managing editor Henson Purcell and would later move from the sports department to the news department.

"West Frankfort is going to miss Bob a lot. He was a real force of good for this community for a long time," Perrotto said.

WJPF Radio news personality Tom Miller has only fond memories of Ellis as the two were friends for 36 years.

"It never occurred to me that Bob could die," Miller said. "I knew he'd been sick on and off, but Bob's one of those guys who has always been around. It's hard for me to believe he's gone."

Miller said he was a brash, young man in his early 20s who worked as a Rock 'N Roll disc jockey for a local radio station and would say things on air to shock listeners.

"Bob heard me making a joke about the Falklands War in 1982 and called me out on it," Miller said. "He talked about being responsible to the public and having credibility. I never forgot that. He was a profound influence on me over the years. He was the first person to tell me I was talented and was one of my biggest supporters. He mentioned me all the time in his columns. I was kind of embarrassed by the publicity, but I always appreciated having him as a friend."

Miller said the two would also make bets with one another with the loser donating to the winner's favorite charity.

Miller said losing Ellis in his life is tough to accept.

"I don't know what I am going to do without him. He was truly a man of integrity."

West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan feels similarly, having worked with Ellis when the latter served the community as Finance Commissioner and then mayor.

"I would have to say that Bob was one of the biggest supporters of our community that I ever knew," Jordan said. "He always tried to portray this city in a favorable light when he worked for the paper."

Jordan said Ellis was one of a kind.

"He was always there for me, offering words of wisdom and humor along with it. Bob was much more than a former mayor and councilman; he was a friend. He had a great heart, especially for the city of West Frankfort. I could always count on him. He is going to be missed."

Ellis leaves behind a wife, Kay.