Eleanor Ann Petry Dunn Ellis

Eleanor Ann Petry Dunn Ellis was born at the 5th Street Hospital, Rushville IN on September 25, 1934, the daughter of Harry Petry and Nola Jane Roth Petry Atkins. Eleanor attended Belle Gregg Elementary School, graduated from Rushville High School in 1952, and studied at Indiana University for two and half years. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. On October 2, 1955 she married Dennis Dean Dunn, of Walkerton IN, Immediately following the wedding they left in their 1953 Studebaker for officers training at Ft. Sill, OK. After that they moved to Ft. Polk, LA where their son Bradley James Dunn was born. Later they were stationed at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, TX for guided missile training. During this time, there were many opportunities to travel much of the country. It was a four-and-a-half year honeymoon. Eventually they returned to Indianapolis to be near family. While in Indianapolis their second child was born, Phillip Martin Dunn. Following the birth of Phillip, Dennis and Eleanor and the family packed up the 1953 Studebaker. Pulling a trailer, and with very limited dollars, they headed to Los Angeles, for training with E. F. Hutton After Los Angeles, the family moved back to El Paso where Nitsa Jane Dunn Cane was born. But soon it was time to move home, and the place of choice was West Lafayette, IN. Arriving in July 1965. Eleanor finished her schooling and graduated from Purdue University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in library science. Naturally, as a librarian, she loved books and was quite a reader. During those years she was a Cub Scout den mother, a Sunday school teacher at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and an elementary school librarian at West Point Elementary School. She touched the lives of many children and if you asked any of them, each one would say they were her favorite. What a gift, with those brown eyes, a way with children, a wonderful laugh and a love of things purple. She was proud to pin the Eagle Scout badge on both of her sons, and later saw two grandsons attain the same rank. Like her mother she kept a diary on each of the children, and it was these diaries that helped pinpoint items that should have been and were eventually included in Growing Child. She and Dennis remained friends to the end. The Studebaker still runs and has a new owner who is restoring the car that has been in all 48 states. After 30 years of marriage, it was time for the third phase of her life. She returned to Rushville and married David W Ellis, M.D. who had been the doctor for her, her parents, grandmother, aunt and uncle. She was back in her hometown with high school and church friends again. She and Dave enjoyed many boat trips with family and kids, and traveled to visit friends and relatives in so many places. They had a good life. Dr. Ellis died February 17, 2016 at 91. As Eleanor’s health deteriorated, her children visited more often and appreciated the kind friendliness extended by so many people in Rushville. Small town Indiana still has it. Survivors include sons Bradley James Dunn (Karen Petrosky) of Madeira, Ohio, Phillip Martin Dunn (Leslie) of Cayce, S.C.; daughter, Nitsa Jane Dunn Cane (Jerry) of Fishers, Ind.; grandchildren, Jonathan Michael and Andrew James Dunn, and Olivia Marilyn and Dennis Aaron Cane; dear friend and cousin, Rebecca Shull Weaver (Wayne) and her daughters Cecily Shull (Bobby Wilson) and Vicki Owen (Gary). Becky and Eleanor were cousins but considered each other sisters. Stepchildren surviving are Joseph M. Ellis (Leslie) of Bargersville, Ind.; Richard S. Ellis (Deena) of Littleton, Colo.; Debra Sue Fischvogt (Kent) of Columbus, Ind.; Lisa L. Koon (Mark) of Kokomo, Ind.; Dave’s sister, JoAnn Smullen (Richard) of Santa Inez, Calif.; step grandchildren are Scott Ellis (Amanda), Mark Ellis (Gina), Richard Davis Ellis, Robert Ellis, Michael Ellis, Kirsten Russell (Ian), Derrick Bell (Jenny) and Matthew Bell (Danelle). Ten great-stepgrandchildren also survive. Eleanor kept up correspondence with so many people, with her left- handed writing or her manual typewriter. She never used the computer. Friends and family members consider her hugs to be the best, and her mince and cherry pies didn’t last long. She was a master collector and saw beauty in so many things from rocks to seashells to Valentine cards created by children years ago. If a life can be graded by how one’s children turned out, Eleanor would score an A+. And to know her heart, you had to know four dogs that came dashing to her with tails wagging: Missy, in her youth; Blackie in family years and Gigi and Walker, neighbor dogs in Rushville. Eleanor was a member and elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Tri Kappa Associates, BFF (formerly Business and Professional Women) Red Hat (Crimson Queens), and 1952 Card Club. Viewing will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm September 23 at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Rushville IN followed immediately by the funeral. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery, near her very special grandmother, Effie Roth Guire (who watched over her many days after school and showed her the beauty of a wildflower garden). Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Presbyterian Church, P O Box 516 (631 North Harrison St) Rushville, IN 46173. Funeral arrangements by Moster Mortuary Rushville, IN. And there you have it.

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Eleanor Ann Petry Dunn Ellis

September 25, 1934 - September 14, 2017