Sarah Ellis

ELLIS, Sarah, age 96, of Waynesville, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Miami Valley Hospital-South. Sarah was born at a home in Lebanon, Ohio and grew up on a farm. She graduated from Waynesville High School, class of '46. She has been a resident of Waynesville for the last 66 years. To keep herself occupied while her husband worked second shift, Sarah took sewing lessons. Those sewing lessons helped her become an excellent seamstress. People took notice of her sewing talent by the clothes she made for her family and suddenly she was doing alterations, repairing, and making clothes for others, which turned into a very lucrative sewing business. She made each of her daughter's wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, as well as her mother-of-the-bride dresses. She had a green thumb and could quickly grow beautiful flowers and plants. She never missed a day of the soap opera Days Of Our Lives, and enjoyed game shows, as well as, America’s Got Talent and Dancing With The Stars. On her first date with her husband they attended the Oakwood Club, making that their annual anniversary dinner spot. In addition, Sarah looked forward to musicals and plays performed at the La Comedia Dinner Theater in Springboro. Sarah was strict and regimented with her diet and exercise. Every day, she would walk 17 times in both directions in her basement to stay physically fit. She was a very proud woman, and she didn't want others ever to see her suffering or decline in health. Up until approximately the last five years, she would attend the Sauerkraut Festival in Waynesville. Her pride and joy were her three daughters. To fill the void as her youngest daughter started kindergarten, the family purchased a dachshund, named Taffy, who became her companion for 13 years. Sarah thoroughly enjoyed all the holidays when the family came together. The family would especially like to thank the staff at Miami Valley Hospital South and Bethany Lutheran Village for all their kind words, support, and the care that the family received. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wade, in 2004; daughter, Cynthia Hardt; parents, Carl and Harriet Ridinger; and five brothers, Joe Ridinger, Dale Ridinger, and three infant brothers. She is survived by her two daughters, Cathy (Stephen) Hurrell and Connie (Stephen) Tahy; son-in-law, Timothy Hardt; six grandchildren, Rebecca (Allison) Hardt, Lauren Hardt, Ryan Hurrell, Michelle Bradley, Christopher (Betsy) Tahy, and Sarah (Ethan) Kimes; and four great-grandchildren, Ember, Heath, Mallory, and Brady. Funeral services will be at 11 am on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Life celebrant Katie Mackoway will be officiating. Burial will be at Miami Cemetery in Corwin. The family will receive friends from 10 -11 am on Sunday, September 29, at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.

Sarah Ellis

April 10, 1928 - September 15, 2024