Lena “Ellen” Reff, 95, of rural Bluffton, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, Sept. 19, 2024, at Lutheran Life Villages at Inverness in Fort Wayne. She was born on Aug. 7, 1929, in Wells County to Paul and Mary (Dowty) Gilbert. She graduated from Rockcreek Center High School in 1947.
On Oct. 9, 1949, in Uniondale, Ellen and Harley “Wayne” Reff were married.
Together they operated the family dairy farm for 40 years. Ellen also worked as a part time accountant at the Brooks McCarty Accounting firm and Emshwiller & Emshwiller for 49 years.
She enjoyed her family and helping others. She was a long-time volunteer at the Bargain Hut and with Operation Christmas Child. She was an accomplished seamstress, cook and baker.
She is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Randy) Barkley of Ossian; along with two grandchildren, Joshua (Heather) Barkley of Ossian and Elizabeth (Thomas) Black of Madison, Alabama; and six great-grandchildren, Jordan, Milo, Liora, Lylah Barkley, and Emersyn and Everett Black.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Wayne Reff; and siblings, Duane Gilbert, Margaret Sheets, Keith Gilbert, Gene Gilbert, and Lyle Gilbert.
Funeral services will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton with Pastor Clark Stoller officiating. Visitation will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at the funeral home prior to the service.
Preferred memorials can be made to Living Water United Church or payable to Samaritan’s Purse for the Operation Christmas Child project.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home Friends can send online condolences with the family at www.thomarich.com.