Marian Jean Ellis
Devoted wife, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and longtime community member, Marian Jean (Caldwell) Ellis passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. She was 89 years old.
Marian was born in Berea, Kentucky, but lived in Hamilton, Ohio from an early age. She graduated from Hanover High School in 1950, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Donald Ellis. They attended Miami University together in Oxford, Ohio, where she studied to be a teacher. They made their home in Hamilton and had four children, Donnie, Gary, Marcy and Cheryl.
The couple moved to their family farm in Bear Branch, Indiana in 1970, where they were active members of the community for more than 50 years. Marian owned and managed the Bear Branch General Store, served as Pike Township Trustee for several terms, and worked as Activities Director for the Dillsboro/Ross Manor senior care and living facilities for which she was ultimately awarded the honor of Activities Director of the Year for the State of Indiana.
Throughout her nearly 65 years of marriage to husband, Donald, they shared many adventures, one of which led to a great love for the Southwest and an eventual move to Santa Fe, New Mexico. While living there for several years, Marian became the manager of a Native American art and jewelry shop known as The Blue Gem, located in the historic La Fonda Hotel. She always reflected fondly on that time in her life, learning and experiencing so much about the different cultures found there. Her friendly personality and ability to engage people, as well as her love of learning and sharing knowledge with others, made her a natural success.
Donald and Marian returned home and retired to their farm in the fall of 1983. Marian enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the company of her Jack Russell terriers, and the tranquility of the farm. She loved to share her interests in birdwatching (especially hummingbirds), gardening, nature, cooking and sewing, and tried to impart to all a love of reading and the value of education.
Marian was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her sons Donald, Jr. and Gary, her parents, Jesse Caldwell and Cecile Durbin, and her son-in-law, Robert Muñoz.
She is survived by her daughters, Marcy Ellis Hahn (Roger) and Cheryl Ellis Muñoz; her Grandchildren, Dawn Ellis, Jesse Muñoz(Ashley), Weston Ellis, Robert “Eli” Muñoz, Ethan Ellis, Annie Muñoz, Amanda Gribbons (James), Morgan “Alex” Hahn, and Garrett Hahn; her Great-Grandchildren, Tyler Hoskins, Derek Hoskins, Lillian Cline, Alice Muñoz, Bobby Muñoz and Sophie Gribbons; as well as several in-laws, cousins and many close family friends.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 19th at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Visitation will also be on Wednesday beginning at 4:00 p.m. Graveside services will be on Thursday, May 20th at 11:00 a.m. at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Hamilton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to David Goodwin Landscaping at 812-557-6300 for a memorial tree to be planted at Marian’s farm.
