Mary Jean (Jones) Ellis

Mary Jean (Jones) Ellis, 74, a lifelong resident of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully at the Laurels of Bedford on April 4, 2026.

Mary Jean Jones was born May 16, 1951, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Robert Earl and Beverly Jean (Tedrow) Jones. She grew up in Battle Creek, attended St. Philip Catholic Schools, and later earned her GED. Early in life, Mary was employed as a pharmacy technician at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Above all, she devoted her life to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, in-law, friend, and so much more.

Mary was united in marriage to Clare LeRoy Ellis on December 31, 1969, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Battle Creek.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Clare; her daughter, Kimberley (José Roberto) DeOliveira of Battle Creek; her son, Steven Ellis of Burlington; her daughters-in-law, Jennifer Ellis and Christina Ellis; ten grandchildren, Jaden (April) DeOliveira, Kyley (Kyle) Lefler, Kate (Devan) Anderson, Jared (fiancée Anna Helguson) DeOliveira, Kamy DeOliveira, Savannah Wirth, Sydney Basner, Davia Ellis, Alexander Ellis, and Michael Ellis; seven great-grandchildren, with another expected in October; her sister, Susan Jones of Battle Creek; her brother, James (Penny) Smith of Dana Point, California; and several cousins, a niece, nephew, and their families.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her two sons, Michael Allen Ellis and Timothy Mathew Ellis.

Mary was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family was always first in her life. She loved camping with Clare and her grandchildren, enjoyed playing cards, and was famously ruthless in games of Kings in the Corner. She loved deeply, showed great compassion, and was fiercely protective of her family—while also expecting the very best from them. Mary had a strong will, a sharp memory, and a dry sense of humor. She faced her health challenges with determination and resolve.

Mary will be remembered for her strength, her honesty, and the steady way she showed up for the people she loved—seeing things as they truly were, neither naïve nor cynical, but grounded in a clear and steady understanding of the world around her.

Friends will be received from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care in Battle Creek. 

A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at Bedford Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.