Ellen Votaw

Ellen Votaw 91 went to be with her loving God and family on Sunday evening August 1, 2010 at Kemper House in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, where she had resided for the past 3 months. Ellen was born on September 3, 1918 in Sebring to the late James Palermo and Alice (Hopkins) Palermo Munsell. She resided there for 87 years. In 2005 she moved to Berea, Ohio to be with her daughter and family. A graduate of Sebring High School in 1936, she then attended Bluffton College. When she returned from college she worked as a bookkeeper for her father’s family coal mining business until her marriage to Raymond “Les” Votaw in 1942. She was a mother, housewife and active church and community worker for many years; she was also a long time employee of the Royal China Company. Ellen was a lifetime member of the Sebring Church of Christ; she served actively in her Sunday School Class, Missionary Circle, Vacation Bible Schools, church camp and in many numerous other ways of supporting her church family. Mrs. Votaw was known for her pie baking and cooking, she served in her home and carried out many meals to the sick and shut-ins in her community; until she was no longer able to drive she served as taxi driver for doctor visits, church activities and any other needs or activities of family and friends. Survivors include her daughter Sonya (Michael) Loomis of Berea, Ohio, daughter-in –law Lynn Votaw of Corona, California, and nephew John Kirkham of Florida, three grandchildren Bradley Loomis, Kay Ellen “Katy” (Jim) Sberna and Casey Votaw, the joy of her life great granddaughter Reagan Skylar Sberna. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Deloras Stanley and a son Raymond “Skip” Votaw Jr. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 11AM at Pine Lake Christian Church in Sebring, with pastors Pete Kunkle and Mike Bratten, officiating. Friends may call at Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home on Friday, August 6th from 6-8PM and at the church on Saturday the hour prior to the services. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Sebring. Memorial contributions can be made to Pine Lake Christian church 636 Pine Lake Road, Sebring, OH 44672 or Southwest Christian Church 6717 Fry Road, Middleburgh Hts. OH 44130. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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