The Versailles Republican Obituaries

PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING MARCH 24, 2016 11:30 A.M.

John Greco

John Greco, age 20, of Dillsboro, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 19, 2016 at his home. John was born on December 1, 1995 in Lawrenceburg to Fortunato “Lucky” and Susan Lewis Greco and graduated from South Dearborn High School with the class of 2014.

John attended Valparaiso University, majoring in International Business. John enjoyed languages; he spoke Spanish and Italian, and enjoyed being around people. Many of his high school contemporaries mentioned that when someone was down, John was there to help and be with them. John made people smile and had many friends. He loved special needs people and would always befriend them. He played soccer in high school and enjoyed skateboarding. If there was a new skateboard track around, he would find it. John loved animals; he could sit in the woods by himself and watch deer for hours on end. He watched many more animals than he killed out in the field.

John was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John Lewis, in 2015. Surviving are his parents, Fortunato and Susan (Lewis) Greco; his two brothers, Salvatore Greco, of Erlanger, KY and Damian (Pasia) Gilchrist, of Manahawkin, New Jersey; his nephew, Jaden Gilchrist; his maternal grandmother, Alberta Lewis, of Dillsboro, and his paternal grandmother, Anna Greco, of Italy.

The funeral service for John will be Friday, March 25 at 11 a.m. at Dillsboro United Methodist Church, 10071 Front St. Dillsboro, with his pastor, Rev. Mona Safley and his former pastor, Rev. Dennis Alstott officiating. He will be laid to rest at Oakdale Cemetery in Dillsboro. Friends may meet his family at the Methodist Church on Thursday, March 24 from 5-8 p.m. Memorials in John’s memory may be given to the National Alliance on Mental Illness or to the Jim O’Brien Scholarship Fund for Soccer. DeVries Funeral Home is serving the family.

Donald Lee Ellis

Donald Lee Ellis, 84, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 21, 2016, with his family at his side. He was born on March 3, 1932 to Millard and Goldie Bess Ellis in Hamilton, Ohio. He attended Hanover High School and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Marian Caldwell, and had four children, Donnie, Gary, Marcy and Cheryl.

While his career was at General Motors and Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, all who were close to him knew his true passions were his love of his family and country, the outdoors, and his varied and numerous interests and pursuits. As an avid reader with a photographic memory, he could regale his family and friends with information about innumerable subjects as well as quote poems by his favorite poets, Robert Service and Indiana’s James Whitcomb Riley. As an endowment member of the NRA, one of his most passionate interests was hunting and all things related to guns. In his younger adult years, he competed with the Butler County Gun Club in regional matches. In later years, his interest extended to the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, building his guns and competing in numerous events. In his final years of competition with the NMLRA, he set national records for the slug gun competition in several distances, and continues to hold records. Art was another passion he studied at Miami University and pursued as an amateur artist through most of his life, especially his years in New Mexico. His other numerous interests ranged from the family farm on Mexico Ridge Road to beekeeping, fly fishing, winemaking, forestry conservation and local history. Donald was a Freemason with the Indiana Grand Lodge of Rising Sun No. 6. He also served as a volunteer fireman in Bear Branch.

Donald will be greatly missed by his loving family and many close friends. He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Marian Caldwell Ellis; his daughters, Marcy Ellis Hahn and husband Roger, and Cheryl Ellis Munoz and late husband Robert; his nine grandchildren, Jesse Munoz and wife Ashley, Eli Munoz, Annie Munoz, Alex Hahn, Garrett Hahn, Dawn Ellis Bolton and husband Chris, Weston Ellis, Ethan Ellis, and Amanda Ellis Gribbons and husband James; his five great grandchildren, Alice Munoz, Tyler Hoskins, Derek Hoskins, Lillian Cline, and Sophia Gribbons; and his sister, Pat Everhart and husband Alvie. Donald was preceded in death by his two sons, Donald Ellis Jr. and Gary Ellis; his brother, Richard Ellis, and his parents.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 28 from 4-6 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Funeral services will immediately follow at 6 p.m. beginning with the Masonic ceremony, and with Don’s dear friend, David Ricketts, officiating the services. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 29 at 12 p.m. at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Hamilton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bear Branch Volunteer Fire Department or Dave Goodwin Landscaping for a memorial tree.

Freda A. Denning

Freda A. Denning, 85, of Aurora, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Friday, March 25 at Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery at Moores Mill. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. also at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Dearborn County Humane Society. Sibbett-Moore Funeral is Home entrusted with arrangements, Box 156 Moores Hill 47032. (812) 744-3280. Go to www.sibbettmoore.com to leave an online condolence message.