Ellen M. Atkinson (95) of Effingham

Ellen M. Atkinson, 95, of Effingham, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 at Willowbrook of Effingham, surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 7 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Ellen was born on September 17, 1922 in Downs Township, IL, the daughter of George and Mayme (O’Neal) Grunkemeyer. She was united in marriage to Clement Greene in 1941, and to this union were born three children: Mary, Kathy, and Tom. He preceded her in death in 1968. She later married John Atkinson in 1972, and he preceded her in death in 2003. Ellen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was everything to her. She was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. She loved to quilt, making quilts for her grandchildren. Ellen was also known for her ironing. She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham.

Ellen is survived by her children, Mary Vaughan Becker of Clearwater, FL, Kathy (Mike) Nolan of Effingham, and Tom (Cari) Greene of Herscher; grandchildren, Bridget (Rick) George of Safety Harbor, FL, Brian (Julie) Vaughan of Chicago, Matthew (Susan) Vaughan of Grafton, MA, Amy (Doug) Conkling, Kelly (Kevin) Roepke, and Colleen Horn, all of Effingham, Erin (Donnie) Swingler of Teutopolis, Kevin (Rhonda) Greene of Salem, and Allison (Matt) Peterson of Seneca; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; and brother, Herman Grunkemeyer.