Nina Ellis

Nina Ellis, 92, of Palestine, IL, died on February 4, 2022, at Ridgeview Care Center in Oblong, IL. She was born on June 17, 1929, in Palestine, the daughter of Charles & Ola (Brashear) Goff. She grew up in the Palestine area and was a 1948 graduate of Palestine High School. Soon after, she married Ralph James "Jack" Ellis, and they were united in Holy Matrimony on May 29, 1948. To this union was born two children: a daughter, Teresa, and a son, James. Though she dedicated herself to caring for her young family and their home, she also worked as a bookkeeper for the family-owned Ellis Milling Company until Jack's passing in 1990 and the subsequent sale of the feed mill and elevator. It was not but a couple of years later that she re-entered the workforce by opening The Loft Tea Room - Gifts & Antiques on Main Street in 1994. The Loft was well-known for Nina's famous white chili and was a favorite lunch spot for many! She eventually retired...again...in August of 2000. A woman of faith, she grew up in the Palestine First Christian Church before marrying Jack and becoming a member of the Palestine United Methodist Church. Her love of Jesus carried over into her love of family, especially her grandchildren. Though spending time with her family was foundational to her 92 years, it was evident to anyone who knew her that Nina enjoyed traveling. From time to time, her trips would find her at a local casino, and she would almost always leave a winner. In fact, a casino in Las Vegas offered her accommodations to come back and play again (a not-so-subtle attempt to make their money back!) Back in Illinois, she would put her luck on the line playing cards with the ladies and playing Bingo at the Elks (and again, won more often than she didn't.) Though it was apparent that Lady Luck was on her side, it is really those of us who have known and loved Nina who are the lucky ones. She is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Terri & Lee Herning (Findley, OH); by her son & daughter-in-law, Jim & Sandy Ellis (Palestine, IL); by her grandchildren, Ben Herning, Kristina Herning, Alex Herning, Jeremy Ellis, and Megan Ellis; by her great-granddaughter, Lucy Ellis; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles & Ola Goff; by her husband, Jack Ellis; by her sisters, June Hamilton and Rosemary & husband Bill Chilcote; and by her brother, Harold Brashear. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. In honor of the love she had for her hometown, memorial contributions may be made to either "Palestine Grant-In-Aid", "Palestine Academic Foundation", "Palestine Library", or to the "Fife Opera House". Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.