Shelva J. Ellis

It is with great sadness that we announce Shelva “Rusty” Jean Ellis, (Montgomery) age 88, passed away on December 1, 2025 at Stoney Ridge Senior Living in Miamisburg, Ohio.

She was born on October 8, 1937 in McDermott, Ohio, the daughter of the late Martin and Esther Montgomery.

Shelva attended McDermott High School until her senior year when she married her childhood love, Floyd Ellis. Shelva lived in Kettering, Ohio with her husband and their five children. Shelva worked at Kresge’s and Liberal’s grocery stores until she began her own residential and commercial cleaning company known as “Rusty’s Cleaning” which she ran for over 20 years.

Shelva’s family is what brought her the most joy and having everyone around put a smile on her face. Shelva’s was the place where everyone gathered. Her home was always filled with children, grandchildren, friends, and relatives. You never went hungry or felt unwanted at her house. She loved and welcomed everyone, and you knew it the minute you entered her kitchen and she wrapped her arms around your neck. She loved family gatherings and for over 27 years she carried on the tradition of the Montgomery Family Reunion. She looked forward to and prepared for it all year long. Everyone was welcome and a child never left without a toy she had collected and the best memories.

Shelva enjoyed square dancing, clogging, and thrifting and was a member of the Moose Club and volunteered at the VA Center.

Shelva touched the lives of everyone who had the honor of knowing her. Her selflessness, warmth, sass, and generous spirit will be remembered forever. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion that lives on in all of us.

She is survived by her five children, Floyd T. Ellis Jr., Barbara (David) Collinsworth, Randy (Sue) Ellis, Mark (Regina) Ellis, Evelyn Carpenter; thirteen grandchildren: Thomas, Sarah, Jenny, Becky, Andy, Martin, Mathew, Amber, Josh, Stephanie, Roman, Jason, Jeremy; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; four brothers and one sister: Charles, Carl David, Doug, Sharon and Jimmy.

In addition to her parents, Shelva was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Floyd Thomas Ellis Sr. as well as her sisters and brothers: Evelyn, Edwin, Rose, Elmes, Paul and Linda.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3940 Kettering Blvd. Service will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home followed by burial at Mt. Zion Park Cemetery in Beavercreek.

To share a memory of Shelva or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.