03/09/2026
Geraldine Grace Ellis
Geraldine Grace Ellis, aged 88, of Allen Park, MI, died while surrounded by loved ones on March 7, 2026, at Rivergate Health Care Center in Riverview, MI.Geri was born in Detroit, MI, on April 12, 1937, where she lived her early years alongside her extended family - Mother (Fern Bergeron Wilde) and Father (Robert Henry Wilde), aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, outlaws, scofflaws, and other friends-for-life. She married Richard James Philp in 1956, and they had two daughters, Desiree Lynn and Sharee Denise. Richard died in 1967. In 1969, she married John Edmund Martin, who died in 1972. The couple had one child, Robert Paul Martin, but John had two children from a previous marriage, Michael and Tracey. Geri met and fell in love with William Mather (Bill) Ellis, whom she married in 1979. Bill had two children from a previous marriage, William Scott and Marion Christine. It was complicated.Geri worked in a variety of roles, shaping her unique perspective on life: as a receptionist for an OB/GYN, an aide at the Allen Park Convalescent Home, at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MI, and at HAP, where she retired. In retirement, she developed a passion for Arabian horses, which she rode and showed with her granddaughter, Lindsey Berens (now Moreno), and later capped her career as a Master Presenter at The Henry Ford.Geri was a character. She was a social butterfly, and it was rare for her to wind up in any public place without knowing someone. She and Bill loved raising dogs (Chubs, Boomer, MacPherson, Rocky the Crime Labrador, Pudge, and Buddy). They loved spending time with friends and family, hosting crazy parties at their house. The Great Pig Roast of 1983 was legendary and possibly not actually completely legal. They enjoyed hanging out at their place in the woods near Indian River, MI, and they spent many (MANY!) hours with friends at the American Legion (Post 409). Bill and Geri were fixtures at so many places, and they always managed to bring a good time wherever they went. Their sense of humor was absurd, sometimes dark, very contagious, and central to their character as a couple.Geri is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Fern Wilde; her baby sister, Cheryl Ann; her first husband, Richard Philp; both of her daughters with Richard, Desiree (Desi) Berens and Sharee Philp; her second husband, John Martin; and her beloved third husband, Bill Ellis, who died in 2022. She is survived by her son Robert (Rob) Paul Martin (with John Martin) and his wife Claudia Escobar; stepson Scott (Jenni) Ellis and stepdaughter Chris (Chris) Glynn; grandchildren Lindsey Moreno (Steve) and Phil Berens (Allison), Hannah and Abby Glynn; Jaden and Gavin Ellis, Aaron Rankins; and Chris and Emily Martin; and great-grandchildren Steven Moreno III (Tayia Patten), Ava and Lucy Berens, and Emmet Rankins .
Visitation Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 1 - 8 pm at Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park Avenue, Allen Park, MI 48101.
In State Friday 9:30 am until time of Mass 10:00 am at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 9000 Laurence, Allen Park, MI 48101
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