Bonnie Vera Ellis

Bonnie Vera Ellis, 80, of Waterloo, IL, died April 28, 2015 in St. Louis, MO. She was born August 9, 1934 in Glenridge, IL.

She is survived by her children Peggy Ellis of Belleville, IL, Glenda (Ron) Beasley of Dade City, FL, Clayton Ellis of Dickson, TN, Brian (Linda) Ellis of Chesterfield, MO, and Lori Ellis of Waterloo, IL, grandchildren Martha Maria (Matt) Kinney of Mesa, AZ and Bonnie Elizabeth Cochran (fiance Danny Canter) of Dickson, TN.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Vera (nee Pettijohn) Kretzer, husband Glen L. Ellis, brothers Harold, Martin, George, and William Kretzer, sisters-in-law Pauline Kretzer, Reba White, Katie Kretzer, Pauline Vander Pluym, and Eileen Kretzer.

Visitation will be at Quernheim Funeral Home from 5 PM to 8 PM Friday May 1, 2015 and

AT CHURCH 10 AM until time of service Saturday.

Funeral will be 11 AM Saturday May 2, 2015 at First Baptist Church Waterloo, IL with Pastor Steve Neill officiating and burial will be at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo, IL.

She enjoyed being a great-grandmother to Courtney and Boston Cochran and Ariel, Owen, and Mariska Kinney. Bonnie was also an aunt to numerous nieces and nephews and a friend to many.

She was married in Centralia, IL on March 3, 1953. She was a full time mother and homemaker for many years, later deciding to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She worked at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville as a labor and delivery nurse for 21 years from 1975 to 1996.

Bonnie was an active member of her church her whole life. She was baptized in the Marshall Creek beside the Marshall Creek Baptist Church in Fredonia, IL. She raised her family in the church and was a member of First Baptist Church of Waterloo since 1965. Bonnie was an avid reader, gardener, and seamstress making many clothes for her family. After retiring she learned to weave and made many beautiful things. She also had an extensive porcelain bird collection. Bonnie was famous for her peach pies, other wonderful cooking, and numerous acts of kindness.

As an expression of sympathy memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or

First Baptist Chuch of Waterloo, IL Building Fund.