Jack Pearce Ellis

Jack Pearce Ellis, 16, of Harvard, IL, lost his life due to a tragic accident at home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Jack was born on June 13, 2007, in Woodstock, IL, the eldest of three children born to proud and loving parents, Mark and Krista (Konen) Ellis.  He was a junior at Harvard High School and was a talented member of the Harvard Hornets Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz band and a member of the Pit Band for The Little Mermaid musical in 2021 and Into the Woods musical in 2022. He was also a part of the McHenry County Honor Band in 2022 and was due to audition for the 2023 Honor Band in November. He was so proud to carry on a third-generation tradition of playing the Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone played by his mother and grandfather.  Jack was also a part of The A Club at school.

Jack was an extremely bright and intelligent boy with a vibrant imagination, a curious desire, and a passion for learning new things and how they worked. He loved creating things on his 3D printer, setting up his room with the latest in smart technology and gaming on his high-tech computer. He wore his heart on his sleeve and cared about everyone around him, loving without reservation or condition. He had the ability to make everyone around him feel valued and appreciated.

Jack had an amazing sense of humor and made everyone around him laugh all the time with his witty comments such as “Bye,” “Go to Bed,” “Sorry about it,” “Kiss yourself,” and so many more. When you got him going, he would often laugh until he cried. He loved his family, hanging out with his amazing group of friends, going on adventures, traveling and roller coasters. He lit up any room he entered.

Jack was always full of life and will forever be remembered for his infectious laugh and smile, beautiful blue eyes, and amazing head of hair.  He was an incredible friend to all around him, protective and standing up for what’s right.  He inspired so many people to play an instrument, be a good person without judgement and to live life to the fullest.  He will continue to put a smile on everyone’s faces with all the incredible stories in the journey he had on earth in such a short yet impactful time that he was with us.

Jack is survived by his parents Mark and Krista Ellis; siblings Milo and Liam; grandparents Paul and Geraldine Ellis and Gregory and Cindy Konen. He is further survived by aunts and uncles Judy Barton, Christopher Ellis (Lisa Dickens), Edwin and Karen Silvester, Mark and Rachel Whelan, Alan and Jessica Challoner and Jenna Lechnir; cousins James, Eliot, Millie and Adam Barton, Teyla Sadda, Lucy and Bobby Ellis, Emily, Rosie and Isobel Silvester, Oliver and Matthew Whelan, Owen Challoner, other relatives, and treasured friends as well as countless people who are left deeply saddened.

Jack was preceded in death by his maternal great grandparents Eugene and Constance Konen, William and Edna Breister; paternal great grandparents Percy and Margaret Ellis and Gerald and Jeanette Hill-Harriss and cousin Calum Barton.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 11 AM until 3 PM with a service immediately following at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 E. Diggins St., Harvard, IL 60033.  The family is asking you to come wearing blue in honor of Jack and his favorite color. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in care of the family.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net.

Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more info at 815.943.5400.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.