Dena Jo Bills

Dena Jo Bills passed away on Monday, November 7th, 2022. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 2nd, 1952, the daughter of the late Herbert and Melba Jones. In December of 1973, Dena married Mark Jay Bills in Raleigh Christian Church, and they then moved to Falmouth, Indiana where they raised their three children. She graduated from Purdue University in 1973 with her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and from Ball State University in 1988 with a Master of Arts in Gerontology. She was an accomplished local leader for nutrition and community care. She started a dietetics consulting business which she operated for over ten years, serving elder care facilities and patients across Indiana. She led the Dietary Department at Rush Memorial Hospital for nearly 20 years, transforming how it operated and served Rush County through a variety of innovative programs. She also built Rush County’s first comprehensive education and nutrition program to improve the health of those who suffer from diabetes. More than any of her professional achievements, Dena was most proud of the three children she raised alongside the love of her life, Mark. She collected innumerable cookbooks and enjoyed baking, especially at the holidays with her children and grandchildren. She loved to devour a good romance novel while enjoying a Pepsi in her reclining chair. Survivors include her husband, Mark; three children, Robert (Nia) Bills of Bristow, Virginia, Alana Bills of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jonathan (Michelle) Bills of Springboro, Ohio; five grandchildren, Samuel, Eleanor, and Natalie Bills all of Bristow, Virginia; Mark and Benjamin Bills both of Springboro, Ohio; three brothers, Jay (Brenda) Jones of Loveland, Ohio, Mark (Cathie) Jones of Richland, Washington, and David (Ingrid) Jones of Ketchikan, Alaska, her sister, Susan (Dan) Kelly of Bay City, Michigan; her sister-in-law, Sheryl Bills Heckler of Clifton, Virginia; and her brother-in-law, Phil Leisure of Carthage, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Mary Bills; and sisters-in-law, Judy Leisure and Marilyn Jones. Friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 11th, 2022 at Moster Mortuary in Rushville, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12th, 2022 at Moster Mortuary. Burial will be held at the Raleigh Zion Cemetery in Raleigh, Indiana, immediately following the funeral In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry, located in Rushville, Indiana (765-932-4379, 109 East 3rd St, Rushville, Indiana, 46173.

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Dena Jo Bills

May 2, 1952 - November 7, 2022