WICHITA — Walter ‘Craig’ Ellis, 70, of Wichita, Kan., passed away surrounded by loved ones on April 26, 2025. Born June 9, 1954, in Garden City, Kan., Craig spent his early years on the family farm and graduated from Garden City High School in 1972. He earned a degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University in 1976, where he met and married his wife, Barbara.

Craig spent his career in commercial banking, serving community banks across Kansas and Colorado before retiring in 2022 as Executive Vice President of Bankers Bank of Kansas.

Craig was known for his generous spirit, deep relationships, and willingness to help others.

Memorial Service will be at 3 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2025, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.

Preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Twila Ellis. Survived by his wife, Barbara Ellis; daughter, Jenifer K. (Partner, Nick Graf) Ellis; son, Tim R. (Ginny) Ellis, all of Wichita; brothers, Doug (Sandy) Ellis of Ingalls, Kan., Jimmy Dean (Lori) Ellis of Topeka, Kan.; sister, Nancy (Eric) Dahlinger of Wichita; grandchildren, Graham B. and Pierce R. Ellis.

Memorials have been established with: SCORE Foundation, 712 H St. NE, PMB 98848, Washington, DC 20002; and Kansas State University College of Agriculture, 114 Waters Hall, 1603 Old Claflin Pl., Manhattan, KS 66506-4004. Share tributes and read the full obituary online at: www.dlwichita.comwww.dlwichita.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Downing and Lahey

6555 E. Central

Wichita, KS  67206

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 3, 2025