Ellis Fondren, City Council Hopeful, Dies

A man who three days ago announced his candidacy for Ann Arbor's City Council is dead. Ellis Fondren, 40, of 715 Hiscock St., died of a cerebral hemorrhage early today at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He was stricken last night at his home.

Fondren's candidacy for a Fifth Ward council seat on the Democratic ticket was to be his first effort at seeking public office.

He was born June 22, 1920, in Kosciusko, Miss., graduating from East Senior High School in Waterloo, Ia., in 1939. Fondren was in the U. S. Army 1942-45 and served as a photographer in Africa and Italy. He was awarded four bronze battle stars.

After the war he was a student in the University's Business Administration School for two years.

Fondren was a 32nd degree mason, a member of the past exalted rulers council of the Elks, a member of the NAACP and the Bethel AME Church. He worked for the Washtenaw Asphalt Co.

Fondren is survived by his wife and a daughter.

His body was taken to Lucille's Funeral Home in Ypsilanti. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.