Ellen Elizabeth Vails Jantz was born on July 6, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to John Henry Vails and Fern Teresa Bodine Vails. She passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, Kansas, at the age of 83.
Ellen married Gary Dean Jantz on November 17, 1962. They made their home in Oklahoma City until 1974, when they moved back to Ellen’s hometown of Wellston, Oklahoma. Ellen lived in Wellston until 2017, when she and Gary moved to Manhattan, Kansas, to live with their daughter, Vikki.
Ellen retired from the Wellston Post Office after many years of service. After retirement, and even prior to retiring, Ellen spent many hours sewing and embroidering crafts and gifts for many family and friends. She also discovered the dulcimer and began playing with a group of ladies in the area. Her greatest loves were her grandchildren, and she and Gary put many miles on their car driving to Manhattan for their school programs and sporting events.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gary; her parents; her sister, Joyce Hallock; her brother, Lee Vails; and an infant son and daughter.
Survivors include her daughter, Vikki, of Manhattan, Kansas and grandchildren: Cecilia, of Manhattan, and Samuel of Madison, Wisconsin. She is also survived by her brother, John D. Vails, and his wife, Donna, of Wellston, Oklahoma, along with a sister-in-law, Jean Jantz, of Yukon, Oklahoma, and brothers-in-law, Don and Darrell Jantz of Fairview, Oklahoma, and sister-in-law, Donna Jantz of Cushing, Oklahoma, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Afuneral was held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Wellston Christian Church, and interment followed at the Wellston Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.