Ellen Lucille Wolfe

BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA: Ellen Lucille Wolfe passed into the hands of our Heavenly Father on August 23, 2023. Ellen was born on June 15, 1923, in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Cecil and Mary Steele, who both preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in death by her late husband, Grandon, her younger brother, Glenn Steele and her daughter-in-law Sandy. She is survived by her three sons, Larry (Pat), Robert (Hilary) and Jerry, her grandchildren Hayden Wolfe and Whitney (Omar) Lee, and great-grandchildren Zoe and Sierra Lee. Ellen met her husband-to-be as a 19-year-old, just before the advent of WWII. She waited four long years for Grandon until the conclusion of the War. They were married on December 8, 1945. During that four-year "waiting period," she supported the war effort, doing administrative work at Wright Air Force Base in Dayton. Unfortunately, she also contracted polio during that time frame, but was able to fight off the disease prior to Grandon's return home from his overseas service in the United Kingdom. Ellen and Grandon spent their early married life in Wapakoneta, Ohio, where they raised their three boys. Ellen was also the caretaker for Grandon's elderly and nearly invalid parents during much of this time. Grandon and Ellen built two mobile home parks and operated a small grocery store and laundromat while in Wapakoneta. Additionally, Grandon had a full-time job with the U. S. Postal Service, so a lot of the work related to the grocery and laundromat was Ellen's responsibility. They "sold out" in 1966, primarily due to Grandon's health issues and retired to Naples, Florida. They would have a few different homes in the Naples and Bonita Springs area, usually on the water. They had several boats over the years, enjoying fishing in the Gulf and boating in general. Younger sons, Robert and Jerry, both graduated from Naples High School. Ellen also returned to her caregiver role for several years, caring for Grandon's Aunt Nellie, who resided with them. Church and religion were always a big part of Ellen's life, both in Ohio and Florida. The family joined Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Naples shortly after they moved to Florida and she remained a member until her last day on earth. Ellen was a member of the church choir and various sewing circles and participated in many other church activities. Grandon, who was fourteen years older than Ellen, passed away in 1988, so Ellen had a very long life as a widow. She often talked about someday joining Grandon in heaven to continue their love story. Ellen will be remembered as a devoted wife, caring mother, steadfast caregiver and all-around good person whose smile could light up a room.

Services will be held at Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples, at 10 AM on Monday, August 28. Internment next to Ellen's late husband, father and mother will follow at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Avenue, Naples.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Naples, Florida.