Rose Anna "Rosie" Van Ells

     Rose Anna "Rosie" Van Ells, 89, of St. Johns, MI, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 14, 2022, at home surrounded by her family.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, with Rev. Fr. Eric Weber presiding. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held 2-8 P.M. on Sunday, July 17, 2022 and Monday, July 18, 2022, at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Goerge Chapel with a Rosary Service at 7:30 P.M. each day.

     Rosie was born in Bengal Township, MI on May 13, 1933, the daughter of Louis John and Eleanor Catherine (Schneider) Schmitt. She graduated from Fowler High School with the class of 1951. She lived most of her life in the Fowler area.

     On May 1, 1954, Rosie married Richard Van Ells at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. They were blessed with 52 years of marriage prior to his passing on September 28, 2006.

     Rosie was known for her love of music. She was the church organist for nearly 50 years. She was also a member of the adult choir, and a leader of the youth choir for many years. She was an active member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Fowler Conservation Club and The Catholic Order of Foresters. Rosie enjoyed family gatherings, sing-a-longs, playing cards, reading, and traveling in "the bus." She also enjoyed and supported the various activities her family was involved in.

     Rosie is survived by 13 children: Suzie (Butch) Schafer, Lorraine (Pat) White, Patty (Tim) Woods, Ed (Cathy) Van Ells, Paul (Ginger) Van Ells, Glenn (Jane) Van Ells, Joan (Gary) Whitford, Eunice (Randy Croyle) Van Ells, Bill (Beth) Van Ells, Joe (Chasidy) Van Ells, Ken (Tanya) Van Ells, Carolyn (Randy) Devereaux, and Kay Van Ells; 33 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 brothers: Hilary and Donald (Joan) Schmitt; sister Regina Feldpausch, 2 brothers-in-law: Jim and Mike (Peggy) Van Ells; sisters-in-law: Donna Kuripla, Josephine Rogers, Rita Thelen, Thelma Miller, Helen Zezza, Dorothy Witt, and Ruth Hufnagel; and many nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard, grandson Conner Whitford, brother Herman (Romayne) Schmitt, sister-in-law Tena Schmitt, brother-in-law Marvin Feldpausch, her husband's parents: Edgar and Eleanor Van Ells; her Van Ells in-laws:  Arlene (Gale Redman, Burt Walling), Alice (Dennis) Gallagher, Mary Van Ells, Tom Van Ells, Bill Van Ells, Dale Van Ells, Charlie Kuripla, Fred Rogers, Stan Thelen, Ernie Miller, Charles Zezza, and Carl Witt

     Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.