Ella Mae "Willie" Brewer

ELKHART -- Ella Mae “Willie” Brewer of Elkhart passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 26, 2018 after a long battle with cancer.

Willie was born on June 30, 1932 to Noah D. and Aleen (Mills) Willard. She grew up in Elkhart and summered at Shavehead Lake along with her five siblings; Richard Willard, June Lunn, Frank Willard, and Don Willard. These trips sparked her love for being around water and ultimately led her to plant her roots at Simonton Lake for the last 53 years.  

She married Robert H. Brewer in 1950 and had two children, Connie (Jon) Hart and Robert (Betty Warlick) Brewer, both of Elkhart. She also had three grandchildren, Austin (Megan) Hart, Matt Hart, Leslie (Sean) Hochstetler, and four great grandchildren.

Willie worked as the manager of Elcome Federal Credit Union for 36 years. She was a strong, sharp-minded woman who was as sincere as they come. She loved the beach, traveling, going to auctions/estate sales, collecting antiques, and sitting on her deck embracing the sights and sounds of nature (including the parade of boat lights through the channel after the fireworks). It is evident that Willie passed along her love for nature and being around water to her family as many of the memories that will live on revolve around just that.

There will be a graveside service for close friends and family at noon on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Rice Cemetery.  Please consider making donations to Cancer Resources for Elkhart County.

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