June 12, 2017 – Kewaskum, WI – Mary Ellen M. McElhatton, 86, of Kewaskum, was called home to heaven where she was reunited with her loving husband on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at Cedar Lake Health and Rehab while surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on November 23, 1930, in Kewaskum, the daughter of the late Edward E. “Pat” and Mary Ellen “Mae” (nee Little) Miller. She attended Holy Trinity Catholic Grade School and was a 1949 graduate of Kewaskum High School.
On October 7, 1950, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart and love of her life John McElhatton at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum. John preceded Mary Ellen in death on April 18, 2015.
Mary Ellen was the “oldest Miller girl” and began helping her father at both his furniture store and funeral home at a young age. Mary Ellen was a mother of eight and worked occasional shifts at the furniture store until she returned full time when her youngest children were in grade school. She really had a keen eye for interior decorating and home furnishings. Mary Ellen was also a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church receiving all her sacraments at Holy Trinity.
She was very involved in the church and served on several committees ranging from Christian Women, Finance Committee, Parish Council, Decorating Committee, and helped with mailings to name a few. Mary Ellen truly loved her church and would do anything to make sure it would be there for many generations after her to attend. In her spare time Mary Ellen enjoyed volunteering at the local polling booths.
In her early retirement Mary Ellen and John enjoyed many vacations together throughout the world from Mexico to Ireland. There were always projects to return to though, whether it was doing rosemaling, canning, sewing, hemming, collecting angels or visiting with people. She always had things to do. Mary Ellen’s greatest joys came from her family. She loved holiday gatherings such as Thanksgiving and Christmas where her whole family could be together. Mary Ellen with John by her side always made it a point to go to as many of her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s events as possible.
Those Mary Ellen leaves behind to cherish her memory include eight children, Chris (Mohi) Badri of Chicago, Illinois, John (Mary) McElhatton of Hurley, Tom (Cheri) McElhatton of Kewaskum, Bruce (Sue) McElhatton and Rob (Geralynn) McElhatton both of West Bend, Shawn (Wade) Roberts and Mike (Sherry) McElhatton both of Kewaskum and Jeanine McElhatton of West Bend; 16 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Isabelle Straub and Clare (Bill) Lehmann both of Kewaskum; a brother, Ted (Patricia) Miller of Kewaskum; a sister-in-law, Sharron Miller of Kewaskum; a brother-in-law, Paul Dean of Kewaskum, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by two sisters, Sr. Donna Miller O.S.F. and Joan Dean; three brothers, Robert, David and Edward Miller; a nephew, Daniel Dean; two step-mothers, Virginia Miller and Lucina “Lu” Miller; five brothers-in-law; Hugo Straub, Lawrence (Pearl) McElhatton, Raymond (Emily) McElhatton, Ralph (Irene) McElhatton and James (Josie) McElhatton; four sisters-in-law, Marie (Joe) Stangl, Margaret (Harvey) Backhaus, Gertrude (John) Turinski and Marion (Dexter) Petermann, and her mother and father-in-law, James and Christine McElhatton.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ellen will be held at Noon on Friday, June 16, 2017, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 331 Main St., in Kewaskum. Father Edwin Kornath will officiate and burial will follow at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery in Kewaskum.
The McElhatton family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at the Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Home, 215 Forest Ave., in Kewaskum from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. where a prayer vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are appreciated and several memorial donations will be made in Mary Ellen’s honor at a later date.
The McElhatton family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Cedar Lake Health & Rehab, Cedar Hospice, the people who visited, and the people who kept Mary Ellen in their prayers during this time.
