Allegan, MI, died Monday, May 14, 2007 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, after a long and wonderful life. Mr. Ellinger was born October 11, 1909, the son of Walter and Neva (Warner) Ellinger, at their home in Allegan and returned there to spend the last 37 years of his life. He was a graduate of Allegan High School, class of 1927, and went on to graduate from Albion College in 1933. His great love was music, specifically, the piano. He started lessons at an early age with a local teacher and then went on for advanced study in Grand Rapids. He had hoped to make a career of it, but this was during the depression, and not the ideal time for this. Consequently, he became a teacher with majors in English and Latin. Prior to WWII, he taught in Scottsville and Milford, MI. During the war, he was assigned to an Army Medical Unit and saw active duty in Okinawa. It was also during the war that he fell in love with the islands, and before returning to the U.S.A., had made arrangements to teach at the Lahainaluna High School, at Lahaina, Maui, and returned there in the fall of 1946. He remained there for the balance of his teaching career, never losing his enthusiasm for the island. He was a member of the Allegan Methodist Church, where he also accompanied the choir prior to leaving Allegan. Surviving are his sister, Jean Ellinger of Allegan and brother, Wayne Ellinger of California. There will be no visitation. Memorial services will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. Pastor Joseph Spackman officiating. Interment Oakwood Cemetery, Allegan. Arrangements by the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel.