Mary Ellis

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Mary Lucille Ellis, 92, of Opolis, passed away at 1:35 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Via Christi Village.

Mary Lucille Ellis was born March 26, 1932, in Pittsburg, Kansas to John Paul and Eleanor “Elner” Mae (Whitter) Oehme. Mary lived and worked in the Pittsburg, Opolis area her whole life.

 

She was united in marriage to Homer A. Ellis on May 22, 1948, in Pittsburg. They were married 62 years before his passing in 2011.

Homer and Mary held membership in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg. They owned and operated Ellis Greenhouse and Nursery for 30 years. After selling the greenhouse, she worked in Dillion’s Floral Department and later at VanBeceleare’s Greenhouse. Mary loved working with all the plants and flowers and enjoyed teaching people about how to care for them.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey W. Ellis of Oplis, Kansas; two daughters, Vicky Henderson (Dave) of Grove OK. And Kelley Ellis of Asbury, MO; a granddaughter, Kristy M. Sailors (Bill) of Texas; two grandsons, Nathan R. Watson of Pittsburg, KS and Jarod W. Watson of Weir, KS; a great-granddaughter, Carlie Caldwell (Zach) of Pittsburg; five great-great-grandchildren, Mason, Hadley, Stella, Palmer, and Quinn; two nephews, Justin L. Steeley (Chau) and Todd Mathew Steeley; a great-nephew Cole Matthew Steeley; a niece, Joi L. (Ellis) Owen and a nephew Jerry L. Ellis (Cynthia) of Illinois.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Homer A. Ellis, her parents, John P. and Eleanor M. Oehme, her sister, Donna K. Steeley, a granddaughter, Terri A. Gintner, and a great-great granddaughter, Saylor Grace Caldwell.

 

A Memorial Mass will be 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10th, 2025 in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Caleb Kuestersteffen as celebrant. A parish rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 9th, followed by a visitation until 7:30 pm at Brenner Mortuary in Pittsburg, KS. Burial will take place at a later date in the Crocker Cemetery. 

The family suggests memorials be given to St. Jude’s Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences may be left at www.brennermortuary.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.