Ella Mae Handley, 77, of S. Rowland Street, Cassopolis, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Dowagiac, after an illness.

She was born June 11, 1932 in Cassopolis, daughter of the late Clyd and Agnes (Callahan) Corbit and a lifetime area resident.

She married John Handley Jr. on Dec. 27, 1975 in Dowagiac. Her husband preceded her in death on Aug. 8, 1989.

Ella is survived by: her daughter, Joanne (Daniel) Kingman of Dowagiac; a son, James (Michelle Sylvester Sr. of Dowagiac; nine grandchildren, Heather (Chris) Schultz, Daniel Kingman II, Jimmy Sylvester Jr., Derrick Sylvester, Jamie Sylvester, Blake Krysinski, Micheal (Melissa) Wilds, Matthew (Laurn) Wilds and Christopher Wilds; nine great-grandchildren; three sisters, Rita Corbit of Cassopolis and Jane McIntyre and Georgann (Rick) Temple, both of Edwardsburg; and a brother, Clyde Corbit of Cassopolis.
Ella was preceded in death by: a son, Donald M. Sylvester; a great-grandson, Tyler Schultz; and two brothers, Robert Corbit and George Corbit.

Ella retired from Per Pak in Cassopolis in the maintenance department. She was most proud of her children and grandchildren.

Cremation will take place. Memorial services took place Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis.

Officiating was Pastor Scott Stambaugh, assistant pastor at Sister Lakes Community Church, Dowagiac.

Family received friends on Tuesday from 3 p.m. until service time.

Online condolences can be left at connellyfuneralhome@verizon.net.