Ellen Kay Dunn
Ellen Kay Dunn, 86 of Charlotte, passed into the presence of her savior, Jesus Christ, on January 6, 2025. Ellen was born in Charlotte to Lee and Leta Marie (Bottomley) Gingrich on March 9, 1938, growing up on the family farm and graduating from Charlotte High School. Ellen’s stories of her childhood will forever be remembered by her children; fun times she shared on the farm with her siblings Bob, Bonnie, and John, her friends Marilyn and Sharon, and classmates at Gresham school.
Ellen’s love for God began as a little girl attending Gresham Church. Ellen held steadfast in her devotion to God and loved to tell everybody about Him and the wonderful things in her life that were possible because of her relationship with Him. She became a member of First Baptist Church in Charlotte and appreciated the love and kindness shown to her by fellow members and Pastor Pete who often sent cards and visited her when she was no longer able to attend church. She also found comfort in listening to Bible Broadcasting Network daily when her vision became too impaired to read her Bible.
Ellen was a hard worker and found work fulfilling. She worked at Owens Illinois for 13 years, where she made many friends and met her husband Wayne Dunn who she described as the “handsomest man she had ever met.” Ellen and Wayne were married on December 20, 1969. Ellen went on to work as a Real Estate Agent at Charlotte Realtors and A and B Realty and found joy in helping families find and purchase their dream home. Ellen’s goal, however, was to become a psychologist. She did not let age, or any other barrier stand in her way. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Olivet College in 1991 and went on to obtain her Master’s from Western Michigan University in 2005. She worked as a Psychologist at Jackson Community Mental Health, Summit Pointe in Battle Creek, and at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital where she retired in her 70’s. A strong, independent woman with many talents, she also loved sewing clothes for her children, making over 300 garments for them over the years.
A devoted and loyal wife, she proudly took care of her husband Wayne in his final years. Ellen loved being a mother, and while stern, was also very loving and made her children feel loved and cherished in every way possible. As a grandmother she always wanted to be the first to hold a grandchild and enjoyed every moment possible with them. Ellen developed a love for Italy and the songs of Pavarotti over her lifetime and her daughter, Jane helped her fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling to Italy where they spent 15 days seeing the sights and making many cherished memories.
Ellen is survived by her children, Rob Thompson, Jane (Larry) Johnston, Gina (Ross) Himebaugh, Maria (John) Yeary, and Wes (Amy) Dunn; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Kay Dawn Gingrich; and brother-in-law, Bob (Maxine) Dunn. She was predeceased by her husband, Wayne Dunn; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Colleen Gingrich; sister, Bonnie LeDoux-Simek; brother, John Gingrich; infant brother, Walter Lee; nephews, Chris Ledoux and Tim Gingrich; and good friend, Alva Hall.
Ellen’s family would like to thank Hospice of Lansing and the staff at Country Living Senior Care in Portland for the excellent care they provided over the last year. Friends are encouraged to support Ellen’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Wednesday, January 8, 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Thursday, January 9, 2:30 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Pete Kroll officiating. The funeral was be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Ellen’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Bible Broadcasting Network or a charity of your choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.