Lona Gross Evans Ellis (48) of Altamont

Lona Gross Evans Ellis, 48, of Altamont, IL, died on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 13 at the Arborcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Saturday in the Arborcrest Mausoleum. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Donations in Lona’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association, 208 S. LaSalle St. Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60604.

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Lona was born in Morris, IL, on April 3, 1969 to Roy and Mary Gross (née Yard), and raised by her mother and stepfather, Darald Evans Jr., in Effingham. When her children were young she lived in Lake Charles, Louisiana where she was a homemaker and waitress. She later relocated to St. Charles, Missouri where she owned and operated a daycare for a number of years. More recently, as her health declined, she moved back to Effingham to be close to family.

Lona was an avid cook and pet owner. She cherished visits from her granddaughters and was eagerly anticipating the arrival of a grandson, Andrew James Ellis, due in February.

Survivors include her daughter, Sarah (Andrew) Winters of Concord, NH; her son, Scot Ellis (Tabitha Golden) of Effingham; her granddaughters, Madelyn and Nora Winters of Concord, NH; her mother, Mary Evans (Carl McClellan) of Montrose; her father, Roy (Peggy) Gross of Marseilles; her stepfather, Darald (Gayle) Evans, Jr. of Kinsman; her sisters, Tammie (Randall) Miller of Effingham and Lori Martinez of Marseilles; her brother, Thomas (Dana) Gross of Marseilles; her grandmother, Jestine Evans of Effingham; and numerous extended family.