Eliene Emily "Ellie" Walters, 83, of Traverse City passed away Sunday, October 25, 2020 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
Ellie was born on Saturday, August 7, 1937 to the late Stuart and Dorothy (Shetterly) Mills in Traverse City. She attended Traverse City Schools and graduated from Traverse City Central. She married Glen N. Walters on May 8, 1954 in Traverse City and they would spend 66 years together, until Glen's death on June 28, 2020.
Ellie was a member of Traverse Bay United Methodist Church and its predecessor Emmanuel United Methodist Church. She was active in the United Methodist Women. She also worked alongside Glen as he pastored Mayfield Chapel for many years as well as when he served as the chaplain of the East Bay Fire Dept. Station 9.
For many years she provided child care in her home and also enjoyed knitting, sewing and collecting salt and pepper shakers. She collected teddy bears and also made teddy bears for her family. She was always thrilled to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving Ellie are her children, Susan Walters and her husband Tom Goike, Dawn (David) Varner, Timothy Walters, Gary (Wendy) Walters; grandchildren, Justin (Jennifer) Varner, Anne (Jay) Clancy, Rebecca Sharp, Emmett and Andrew Walters. Also surviving are her great grandchildren Connor and Zoe Varner and Katheryn Clancy. Ellie is survived by her siblings, Milton Mills, Lucia (Harry) Hibler, Alma (Ron)Northouse and many nieces and nephews. Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Glen; her parents; her grandsons, Jacob Walters and Donald Fletcher, granddaughter Katie Varner and her sister Joy Mills.
The funeral service will begin at 11 AM Thursday, Oct. 29 at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Matthew Chapman will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Masks and social distancing guidelines will be practiced.
The family has asked that memorial contributions be directed to Traverse Bay United Methodist Church, 1200 Ramsdell St., Traverse City, MI 49684