Wyoming - Ellen E. George Wake, 82, of Wyoming, Illinois, died at 9:46 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2011, at Methodist Medical Center, Peoria, where she had been a patient since December 28th.

She was born December 24, 1929, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Harvey and Grace Downer Puffinbarger. She was first married to Frank George on November 30, 1949, in Henderson, Illinois. He preceded her in death on June 21, 1992, in Kewanee. She later married John E. Wake on March 1, 1995, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on November 10, 2002. Also preceding her in death were her parents, one son, Kenneth George, and son-in-law, Vaughn King.

Surviving are two daughters, Deborah King of Galesburg, Illinois, and Barbara and Marty Cantwell of Toulon, Illinois; one son, Frankie and Mary George of Erie, Illinois; one daughter-in-law, Sharon George of LaFayette, Illinois; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lyman Puffinbarger of Cassville, Missouri; and one sister, Grace Arlene and Harold Bloomgren of Galesburg, Illinois.

Ellen and Frank farmed for many years near LaFayette until his death in 1992. They enjoyed travelling and camping together. She was a volunteer at the Kewanee Hospital, was a member and past president of the Wyoming Lions Club, and a member of the Red Hat Society in Wyoming. She enjoyed playing cards and Bingo, but mostly loved spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.

Ellen was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church, where the funeral Mass was at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2012. Rev. Vien Van Do officiated. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, at Wyoming Funeral Home, where recitation of the Rosary was at 7 p.m. Burial was in Galva Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wyoming Lions Club, St. Dominic Catholic Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Private condolences may be made to the family via www.WyomingFH.com.