Mary Lillian Ellis, age 87, of Shelbina, MO formerly of Newark, MO, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2020, in Salt River Nursing Home in Shelbina, MO where she was loved and received exceptional care.

She was born May 11, 1932, in Knox City, MO, the daughter of Raymond Elwood and Rosemary Miller Campbell.

She was united in marriage to Lester Lee Ellis on November 17, 1951, in LaBelle, MO and he preceded her in death on April 11, 2012.   Mary was also preceded by her parents, sister Ruth and brother Donald James (Donnie) Campbell.

Surviving are one daughter Julia Ann Dent of Hannibal, MO, two granddaughters, Nakita Dent Hughes and husband Earl of Hannibal, MO, and Holly Dent Hicks and Spencer McCutchen of Quincy, IL, two sisters, Cheryl (Don) Feldmann of St. Charles, MO, Carol (Jim) Meier of Des Moines, IA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Prior to her illness, Mary enjoyed sending greeting cards with personal handwritten messages to family and friends.  She enjoyed her collections of Iris, salt and pepper shakers and pitchers.  She was a reader and passed along her love for hand embroidering.

Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2020, in the Newark Cemetery, Newark, MO.

Memorials are suggested to Salt River Community Care Center.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO.