Mary Ruth Ellison

Mary Ruth Ellison, aged 84, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 9, 1939, in Fortville, IN, to the late Grover Cox Sr. and Dorothy (Kingen) Cox.

Throughout her life, Mary held various roles, including being a dedicated homemaker, working at Woolworths, and serving as an owner and operator of J & M Ellison Inc. However, her true passion and talent lay in the sport of bowling. Mary excelled in bowling, beginning her journey in 1962. She founded the Best Western league at Cooper’s, initiated the Ladies 2000 league at East Side Lanes, and established the Ladies 700 league at Brown’s. From 1962 to 1967, she coached at Cooper’s, followed by coaching at Strike-mor Lanes from 1967 to 1969. Mary then dedicated her coaching skills to Brown’s from 1971 to 2000 and concluded her coaching career at Cooper’s/Championship Lanes from 2001 to 2015. She impacted three generations of aspiring bowlers. Mary was instrumental in launching The Kegler Open (TKO) in 1984 and worked tirelessly for 39 years, only missing two events. Her efforts helped raise over $750,000 in scholarships for youth bowlers across the state. Mary’s numerous bowling accolades include inductions into the Anderson Madison Hamilton County Hall of Fame, Anderson Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame for performance, Helen Rees-600 Club for service, Indiana State United States Bowling Congress–special service, Indiana State United States Bowling Congress Youth Association-Presidential Service, and Indiana State United States Bowling Congress Youth Association-30 years of state tournament participation. She had a profound impact on the lives of thousands by sharing her love of bowling.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Angela (Steve) Fulp, Christina (Dennis) Reth, and Susan (Lance) Fisher; son-in-law, Ralph Hall; grandchildren, SteAnn (Matt) McBride, Amanda Stafford, James (Lydia) Fulp, Hanna (fiancé – Ethan VonBank) Reth, Alex (significant other – Sara Fenton) Reth, Abby Fisher, Isaiah Fisher, Katrina (Larry) Bigham, and Kendra (Kris) McDaniel; great-grandchildren, Latasha (fiancé – Cole Bayliss) Stafford, E.J. Stafford, Sam McBride, Louise Fulp, Hadilyn Compton, Ethan VonBank Jr., Sccylea VonBank, Kadie Hall, Trevor Troye, Chase Hall, Anna Bigham, Braden Bigham, Megan Douglass, Brenden Douglass, and Asher Oliver; as well as a great-great-granddaughter, Addison Ambrose. She is also survived by her brothers, Timothy Cox, David Cox, and Stephen Cox. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James “Sam” Ellison; her parents; daughter, Brenda Ellison-Hall; brother, Grover Cox Jr.; sister, Dolores Stewart; and grandson-in-law, Stevie Stafford.

Funeral services will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory, with Pastor Jennifer McConnell officiating. Prior to the service, visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the start of the ceremony at the funeral home.  Burial services will be determined at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.