A Celebration of Life for Dennis “Denny” Lee Elller, Age 79 of Ava, Missouri will be Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, Missouri with a visitation prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. Officiating will be Pastor Charles McFarland.
Dennis “Denny” Lee Eller, left this life peacefully and entered Heaven on July 28, 2025, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri surrounded by his family and good friend, Charles McFarland.
He was born April 27, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to John Russell Lee and Cleora Jerome (Pipkin) Eller.
His parents moved the family to Carlinville, Illinois where Denny grew up.
Denny and Susan Jett were united in marriage at Carlinville, Illinois on December 24, 1970. In 1976 they moved to Thornfield, Missouri. In 2011 they moved to Ava, Missouri where he spent the remainder of his life.
Denny spent most of his working career as a mechanic. He retired from Copeland-Emerson, after 27 years. He was well known for his knowledge about cars and motorcycles and was asked to work on many of them for neighbors, friends, and strangers. Denny spent eight years as a Deputy with Ozark County Sheriff’s Dept.
Denny loved riding on his motorcycle. He went on several trips with Susan and close friends. Some of his favorite trips were to South Dakota, New Orleans, the Dragon’s Tail, Bikers Blues and Barbeque in Arkansas, and Little Sturgis in Kentucky. He was a true biker and loved riding the back roads. Denny was part of a close knit group that liked to target shoot and train together improving their skills. This group became a second family and he was proud to be one of them. Denny’s greatest joy in life was his family. He constantly told his girls how proud he was of them. He never let them leave without a kiss, a hug, and an “I love you!”
Denny’s best buddy was his great grandson, Waylen better known as “Scooter.” He was teaching him how to shoot; gave him tools to work beside him in the shop and he was Waylen’s biggest fan at his baseball games.
Denny was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Kenneth Jett; his grandma, Leona Pipkin; his son-in-law, Sean Haskins; brothers-in-law, Roger Meade, Bob, Tim, and Gene Jett; and sister-in-law, Julie Golden.
Denny is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughters, Julia Ann Lommatzsch and husband, Richard, Donna Wyatt and husband, Bud, Christina Haskins and April Blackwell; and his great grandson, Waylen Blackwell; sister, Julia Byrkit and husband, Bob; mother-in-law, Phyllis Jett; and brothers-in-laws, Richard, Jimmy, Kenny, Scott Jett and his wife, Tara; seven grandchildren, Tommy (Irene), Ashley (Tyler), Amanda (Luis), Shelbi, Buddy, Vicky, and Abigail; 18 great grands and one-on-the-way; extended family and many friends
