Rhonda Irene Ellis, nee French, age 55, of Ossian, Ind., formerly of Fairview Heights, Ill., born July 7, 1960 in Belleville, passed away December 24, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, in Fort Wayne, Ind.

"Her smile was the sun on a dark and dreary day;
Her laughter was the music chasing your blues away.
Her hugs were the blanket that kept you warm and secure;
Her heart held the truest love, unconditional and pure.

To know her was a blessing,
But to love her tops it all.
When you remember life's greatest moments,
Her name you will recall."

-written with love by
daughter Shera Smith

She was preceded in death by her father Jarvis Junior French, her mother Irene Clara, nee Weil, Underwood, and her brother Ricky French.

Surviving are her husband Ivan Ellis of Ossian, Ind., her children Shera R. (fiance Andrew Rader, Sr.) Smith, Cory G. (Alicia Haller) Gabriel, Jr., and Shayla (fiance Darrin Johnson) Gabriel; her step-daughter Hayley (Billy) Schleuter, her brother Randy French and sister Renee Booth, and grandchildren Isabella Rader, Lilly Smith, Amerie Schleuter, and Andrew Rader, Jr.; niece Shenee Booth, nephew Michael French, and many more family members and friends.

Memorial donations are suggested, in lieu of flowers and other gifts, to the family to assist with costs associated with Rhonda's illness and death.

Visitation: 4:00 - 8:00 pm, Monday, December 28, 2015 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon.

Funeral: 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at the funeral home, with services officiated by long-time friend Sherri Copenhaver.

Burial will be at College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Ill.