Maxine Louise Ellis

Maxine Louise Ellis, 88, of Kalamazoo, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Trinity Health Grand Rapids after a brief illness.

She was born April 1, 1937, in Muskegon, Michigan, the daughter of Howard Liddle and Magdalen (Josifek) Liddle.

She received her teaching degree at St. Mary's College, Cleveland, OH and taught elementary school at Muskegon Catholic Central. She married Gerald Lee Ellis on August 13, 1959, and moved to Kalamazoo, MI where she later earned a Masters in Elementary Education at Western Michigan University. She dedicated her life as a homemaker to her family.

Maxine enjoyed shopping and doing arts and crafts. She made countless photo albums throughout her life; she usually made them for special occasions. She cherished her family and loved spending holidays with them; she especially enjoyed the Christmas festivities. She loved her feline friends dearly and rescued several litters over the years. She loved camping with her family and has toured over half the states in her family's travel trailer.

She is survived by her three sons, Patrick (Francesca) Ellis, Gary Ellis, and Thomas Terry Ellis; three grandchildren, Susan (Matthew) Kemp, Kevin Ellis, and Kristen (Caleb) Kaylor-Knopf; three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Peter, and Brynleigh.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Donald Liddle, and grandson, Brian Ellis.

Family and friends are invited to a funeral mass at St. Monica Catholic Church on Saturday, April 12, 2025, beginning at 12:00 noon, with Fr. Russell Homic officiating. Visitation will take place prior to the Mass beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Maxine will be laid to rest immediately following at South Portage Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Kalamazoo Humane Society.