Joel Ira Ellis, 83, of Freehold, died Thursday, Feb. 7, at The Manor.

Ellis was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and had resided in West Orange before moving to Freehold 26 years ago. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was discharged with the rank of Captain. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ellis was known to all throughout New Jersey for his service at Coronet Caterers, Irvington, Snuffy's Pantagis, Scotch Plains and at the American Hotel. He spent the past 12 years as "The Greeter" at Sam's Club in Freehold. His warmth, kindness, and caring was known to all. Those who met him were left with a smile, whether in their hearts or on their receipts. Ellis will forever be loved by his family.

Surviving are his wife, Lettie Ellis; a son, Bob Ellis; a daughter and son-in-law, Ileen Ellis and Ed Stoner; and four grandchildren, Jaime Romanovskiy, Todd Stoner, Jake Ellis, and Nikki Ellis.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 at the Higgins Memorial Home. Private interment services will be held at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jersey Coast Chapter of the Red Cross, NJ Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, 1540 West Park Ave., Ocean, NJ 07712.