Dorothy M. Ellis Obituary (1924 - 2018)

Dorothy M. Ellis, 94, of Rossville, passed away at 5:16 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2018 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. Her Celebration of Life will be at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Middlefork United Methodist Church, Potomac with Mike Reed and Pete Wiedman officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Potomac Cemetery. The family suggest memorials in Dorothy's honor be made to the Middlefork United Methodist Church or to your local animal shelter. Dorothy was born January 24, 1924 in Allerton, Illinois, the eldest child of Frank P. and Esther Alley Reed. She married George Estock, Jr. She later married Robert E. Ellis on December 10, 1960 in Potomac and he preceded her in death on May 28, 2010. Dorothy is survived by two daughters, Karen Estock (Jim) Bryant of Ogden and Mary Jo Ellis (Michael) Fowler of Bloomington; four grandchildren, Micheal (Christina) Learned of Homer, Julie Atwood of Danville, Adam Bryant of Ogden and Kimberly Learned of Homer; seven great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Alex, Katelyn, Britynn, Dallas, Kalyssa and Kaizyn. She is also survived by two brothers, Frank (Sharon) Reed of Normal and Ralph (Diana) Reed of Danville, a sister, Marilyn (Bill) Boen of Oakwood; a brother-in-law, Peter Gernand of Urbana, two sisters-in-law, Sue Reed of Homer and Susan Reed of Holland, MI; former son-in-law, Terry Learned of Englewood, FL; grandson-in-law, Broc Atwood of Danville and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by two daughters, Esther Mary Ellis in infancy and Cynthia Ann Estock Learned; her step-mother, Rosalind Reed, siblings, Joseph Reed, Margaret Gernand, Harold Reed, Albert Reed and Kenneth Reed; a sister-in-law, Vivian Ellis Schultz and a son-in-law, Thomas L. Stratton. After graduating from Newman High School in 1941, Dorothy began her career at the Veterans Administration and General Motors. While she greatly enjoyed her work, Dorothy returned to her country roots in 1958 when she purchased her farm on the Rossville Road, affectionately known as "The Shady 80." After their marriage in 1960, Dorothy and Bob's shared "hard work" ethics led to raising a family, raising crops, Bob's 40 year railroad career, producing the most abundant gardens, and operating the Ellis Egg Farm. Dorothy's love of people blended well as their business grew and she became lovingly referred to by many as "The Egg Lady." Dorothy was a member of the Potomac Civic Women's Club and the Middlefork United Methodist Church. A proud Republican, Dorothy enjoyed Fox News, following the markets, cooking, canning, Illini Basketball, playing euchre and being surrounded by her family and friends. To know her was to love her and she will be deeply missed. Dorothy's family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff members at Autumn Fields and Heritage Health, Hoopeston, IL, Advocate BroMenn, Normal,IL and Leroy Manor, Leroy, IL.