Jolene A. Ellis

Jolene Ann (née Ochsner) Ellis, 82, returned to her heavenly home on August 31, 2020 after a valiant battle with a long illness. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her comfort. She passed peacefully surrounded by family in hospice in Avon, Indiana. She was born on August 6, 1938 in Goodland, Kansas to Edmund and Anna (Darnauer) Ochsner. Jolene was blessed with a loving family. She married her husband, Stanley Eugene Ellis, on August 14, 1960 in Goodland, Kansas. Jolene helped raise their two children, Curtis Eugene Ellis and Anne Elizabeth (Ellis) Thompson, with love and patience.

Jolene is survived by her loving husband, Stanley; children, Curt (Jolene) Ellis, Michigan, Anne (Gary) Thompson, Indiana; grandchildren, Jacob (Susanna) Ellis, Michigan, Elizabeth (Jacob) Cross,  Michigan, Sarah (Lucas) Fritch, Iowa, Samuel Ellis, Michigan, Rachel Thompson, Indiana, Leah Thompson, Indiana; sister, Janice (Ochsner) Berringer, Kansas; brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Anna (Darnauer) Ochsner, Kansas; sisters, Roma (Ochsner) Troutt, Idaho, and Judy (Ochsner) Willems, Kansas.

From a very early age, she dedicated her life to God and service to help others in her care to explore the beauty of God’s creation and the opportunities in learning. She was a charter member of the John Wesley Free Methodist Church and volunteered for years by playing the organ, piano, and singing in the church choir.

She loved the teaching of reading and writing and every part of her life was a teaching moment. She graduated from Goodland High School (Goodland, Kansas) in 1956, from Greenville College (Greenville, Illinois) with a Bachelor’s degree in 1960, and later from Butler University (Indianapolis, Indiana) with a Master’s degree.

She was an accomplished pianist and organist who played for the church for 25 years and would offer piano lessons to children. She was a generous person who loved to care for people with baked goods—cookies, cakes, brownies, and buckeyes.

Jolene was dearly loved by all of her family and friends. She will be greatly missed, but we take great comfort in knowing that she is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus and with departed family and friends that have gone before her.

Visitation is scheduled from 6:00pm – 9:00pm on Friday, September 4th at John Wesley Free Methodist Church (5900 W. 46th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46254). A celebration of life is scheduled for 11:00am on Saturday, September 5th at John Wesley Free Methodist Church, with a second visitation starting before the celebration at 10:00am. Social distancing precautions will be maintained at the service with live-streaming as an option at: https://www.facebook.com/JohnWesleyFMC

Any memorial contributions can be made to Wayne Township Education Foundation (https://bit.ly/3jEfgjd), Wheeler Mission (https://bit.ly/31OXnIz), or International Child Care Ministries (https://bit.ly/2QK2ELc). Flowers can be sent to the church (5900 W. 46th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46254) prior to the celebration service. The family would like to thank Life’s Journey of Avon for their love and care in her last days.