Ellyn Griffith Kremer's Obituary
Ellyn Griffith Kremer, age 86, of Decatur, IL, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at home with her husband LaVerne at her side. Ellyn was born in Moweaqua, IL on July 21, 1938, the daughter of the late Dale & Marie (Causey) Griffith. Ellyn married LaVerne April 8, 1961, and they started their married life in Decatur, where they raised three children together. Ellyn is survived by her husband, LaVerne J Kremer, daughter Tracy Barding & her husband Edward, son Kevin Kremer & daughter Janet Urbanek. Besides her parents, Ellyn was preceded in death by her sister, Roselyn Nesbit. Ellyn earned her Nursing degree from Barnes School of Nursing in St Louis MO and worked as an RN at St Mary’s Hospital, where she touched many lives until retirement. In her earlier years, Ellyn was a member of the Barn Colony, where she painted on Monday nights with fellow artist friends, taught Saturday art lessons downtown and participated in art shows. Ellyn was intelligent, possessed a sharp wit, and believed in having a creative outlet. She sewed beautiful clothes for family, collected antiques, and enjoyed time spent in her garden, sharing flowers and seeds with family. We will be reminded of her when a peony or poppy blooms or a hummingbird visits. She was an avid reader, visiting the Decatur Public Library mystery novel section weekly. But her greatest joy was spending time with family and turning birthdays and holidays into beautiful occasions we will all remember. She was a strong and independent woman and the most loving and caring wife, mother and grandma. She is survived by her children and 9 grandchildren: Janet Kling & husband Travis, Ryan Barding, Clint Urbanek, Kristian Kremer & wife Tarah, Nolan Urbanek & wife Kara, Abigail Urbanek-Smith & husband Ryan, Elijah Kremer & wife Hannah, Quinlan Kremer, Piper Kremer, and 6 great grandchildren: Sawyer, Fletcher, Avery, Kennedy, Parker & Eloise.
Visitation for Ellyn will be from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday, May 14 at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur, Illinois. A service will be held at the funeral home at 11am on Thursday, May 15. Burial in Hall Cemetery in Blue Mound will follow the service. Memorials may be directed to the Decatur Public Library. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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