Philomena Ellis

Emporia-Philomena (Bernritter) Ellis, 89, formerly of St. Marys passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at her home in Emporia. She was born November 4, 1929 in the Turkey Creek Community the daughter of John and Nellie Laymon Bernritter. Philomena attended Turkey Creek grade school and graduated from St. Marys High School. Philomena was a stay at home mother while raising her children. She later worked as a CNA and CMA at St. Marys Manor before she retired. She was a past member of the Farmer Wives Club and the Rossville Bible Church. On July 11, 1948 she was united in marriage to Lyman M. Ellis at St. Marys. He preceded her in death on March 19, 1999. She was also preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Frank, Donald, Bill, John, Irene, Frances, Priscilla, Dorothy and Bessie. Those left to cherish her memory are two sons, Pat Ellis, Long Beach, CA. and Robert (Kitty) Ellis, Falls Church, VA; two daughters, Kathy Fritts, Topeka and Kelly Krueger, Olpe; a sister, Helen Graham, Topeka; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren with one on the way. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 1, 2019 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Belvue. Mrs. Ellis will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. Sunday, June 30, 2019. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House and sent in care Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536