Kathlena Joan (Mitchell) Ellis Rakes

Kathlena Joan Ellis Rakes, age 91, formerly of Pittsfield, Illinois, died May 1, 2024, at the Maranatha Manor, Sebring, Florida. She was born March 20, 1933, in Jacksonville, Illinois, the daughter of Irvin and Mabel (Sharrow) Mitchell, Milton, Illinois.

She is survived by her son, Richard L. Ellis, M.D. (Jean); brother, Carrol Mitchell (Barbara); grandchildren Denise Merschman, Tiffany Ellis, and Rachel, Angela, and John Mitchell Ellis; and great grandchildren Emily, Nicholas, Alexis, and MacKenzie. She was preceded in death by her son Dennis Paul Ellis; brother Kenneth; and husbands John Ellis, Marvin Rakes (Chatham, Illinois) and Duane McNeil (Grand Rapids, Michigan).

Joan graduated from Milton High School and married John W. (Jay) Ellis of Pittsfield, November 18, 1951. She attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois, and worked as a secretary at M.D. King Milling Company/United Feeds, Pittsfield, from 1966 to 1997.  Joan held a deep Christian faith and a strong devotion to her family and friends. She and Jay raised two boys in Pittsfield. Following Jay’s death, she enjoyed many years of farm life near Chatham, Illinois and, since 2016, resided at the Maranatha Village retirement community in Sebring, Florida.

Joan was a member of the Maranatha Baptist Church, Sebring, Florida, and former member of the Berean Baptist Church, Springfield, Illinois, and Grace Baptist Church, Pittsfield, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with internment to follow at Pittsfield West Cemetery.  The family will meet friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Maranatha Manor, 54 Maranatha Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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