Phyllis "Jo" Ellis , age 87 of Verona, WI and formerly of Elwood, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI following a long well-lived life.  She was born August 3, 1936 in Elwood, Indiana, the daughter of Frank Wilbur and Leona Mae (Stanley) Collins.  Jo was a 1955 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood.

Jo was loved by virtually everyone who met her. Her warm smile, quick wit, and ability to listen with empathy endeared her to all; qualities not even Alzheimer's could take from her during her final years. She inherited her mother's outgoing charm and her father's quiet attention to detail, embodying a rare blend of pride and humility, stubbornness and adaptability, and kindness mixed with fierce protectiveness of her loved ones. She always found a way to persevere with grace through any obstacle she encountered.

For many years, Jo lovingly nurtured her family and home, and later contributed her talents in the accounting department of a nonprofit organization, where she retired in 2012. Beyond her family, Jo found joy in various hobbies, including cultivating African Violets and other flowers, doting on her dogs, participating in a local bowling league, and caring for her favorite angel fish in her freshwater aquarium. In her recent years in assisted living, she loved cookies (which the staff often baked just for her), live music on Friday afternoons, visits with her granddaughter Katrina to hear stories of Katrina's horse Tucker, and friendly Bingo competitions with her fellow residents. Jo will truly be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister.

Jo's family includes 2 daughters, Sandra (husband Kent) Ellis-Brye of Verona, WI, and Michele E. Castillo (husband Carlos) of North Carolina; brother, James F. "Jim" (wife Sue) Collins of Elwood; 3 grandchildren, Katrina Brye, Jessica Murray, and Matthew Gibson; 3 great-grandchildren, Ayden, Grayson, and Leo; and several nieces and nephews.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Leona, and her brother, Robert "Bob" Collins.

Jo's wishes were to be cremated and have a private family service at a later date.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association through the funeral home.  Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood is honored to handle Jo's funeral arrangements.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.