Ellis McSwain

Ellis “Skeeter” McSwain, Jr., 61, of Jefferson City, MO passed away peacefully on Friday, November 16, 2018 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by his family.

Ellis was born June 18, 1957, in Laurel, Mississippi, the son of the late Earl and Martha Gay.

Ellis was united in marriage on August 1, 2003, to Ann Marie Elizabeth Wilson who survives at the home.

Ellis is a 1975 graduate of Jefferson City High School and 1980 graduate of Lincoln University.

Ellis began his career with the Missouri Department of Corrections in 1980. He served in various roles including Probation and Parole Officer in Hannibal, Missouri; Institutional Parole Officer and Corrections Caseworker at the Missouri State Penitentiary; Functional Unit Manager and Associate Superintendent at Western Missouri Correctional Center.

Ellis joined the private sector in 1992 serving as the Operations Director of Criminal Justice Programs for the ACT Corporation in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 1999, Ellis returned to Missouri and the Missouri Department of Corrections. He served as the Assistant Warden at Tipton Correctional Center; Deputy Warden at Booneville Correctional Center and Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center. Later he served as Warden at Algoa Correctional Center.

In 2009, Ellis was appointed by Governor Nixon as a member of the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole and later appointed as Parole Board Chairman and Division Director. Ellis retired September 1, 2017 although he continued to serve as a member of the Missouri Corrections Association Board of Directors.

Ellis was a devoted and loving husband and an amazing father and grandfather. Ellis was passionate about life and helping others be the best version of themselves. He was a wonderful cook and enjoyed traveling by train.

Ellis is survived by his children, Brandi McSwain of Raleigh, North Carolina, Chloe Asbell (Mark) of Pompano Beach, Florida, Amanda Matteson (Tommy) of Jefferson City and Matthew Ellis McSwain of Jefferson City; grandson, Princeton Asbell and granddaughter, Piper Asbell.

He was preceded in death by two siblings, Doris and Gregory McSwain.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 12 noon Friday, November 23, 2018, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 12 noon Friday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with Rev. George Tyus officiating.

Burial will be in Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson City, in care of the family.

Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.