Joanne Ruth Ellis

Joanne Ruth Ellis, 90 years, of Petersburg, MI died Sunday, July 31, 2022. She was born Feb. 5, 1932 on the family farm near Genoa, OH to Robert and Ruth (Recker) Gross. Joanne married Russell Ellis, Jr. on May 21, 1955 at Zion Lutheran Church, Latcha, OH and celebrated 52 years of marriage before his passing in 2007.

Joanne was a very active member of Petersburg United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday and Vacation Bible School and served on many boards and committees, including Treasurer and Church Historian. A devoted mother and grandmother, she enjoyed serving delicious family dinners.

Joanne was a member of the Genealogical Society of Monroe County, MI for over 40 years. She was passionate about researching and collecting family information, as well as helping others with their research, travelling to Salt Lake City, the National Archives in Washington, DC, and throughout Germany before learning to do research on the internet.

Joanne graduated valedictorian from Lake High School, Millbury, OH in 1950. She attended nurse’s training at Toledo Hospital, graduating as a registered nurse in 1953. She worked at Toledo Hospital for two years.

Joanne is survived by her daughter Amy (Larry) Wagenknecht of Haslett, MI, daughter-in-law Jackie Ellis, sons Randy (Candy) Ellis of Dundee and Jeff (Linda) of Sylvania; grandchildren Jami (Matt) LaRocca, Chad Ellis, Kevin Herzig, Craig (Kay) Ellis, Bryan (Lindsay) Wagenknecht, Jonathan Wagenknecht, Nadia Ellis, Sergey Ellis; and great-grandchildren Kassidy, Olivia, Sophia, and Russell LaRocca, Landon and Alycen Ellis, Angelina Myrice and Adelyn Ellis, and Anna Wagenknecht; and sister Doris Schulte. She was preceded in death by her husband Russ, Jr, son Robert, grandson Jason, and sister Mary Lou Waggoner.

Friends may call at the Capaul Funeral Home, Ida, MI from 4-8PM on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. There will be visitation on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, at Petersburg United Methodist Church, 152 Saline Street, Petersburg, MI, from 10AM until the services at 11AM. Pastor Keith A. Lenard, Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Petersburg, MI.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Petersburg United Methodist Church or the Jason Charles Wagenknecht Spartan Cornerstone Scholarship Fund givingto.msu.edu/gift.

The family would like to thank the staff at Gaslight Village and Elara Caring for their wonderful care and support.