ST. MARYS—Gary L. Ells, 68, passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the St. Marys Manor.

He was born June 5, 1942 at Lake Andes, SD. the son of Laurel Vivian and Irene Weis Ells. Gary graduated from Newton High School in 1960 and from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia.

Gary was a teacher at Topeka High, Lyndon High, and at St. Marys High School where he taught from August 1972 until May 2006. He taught English, Speech, Debate & Forensics and directed many plays. Gary also coached baseball at St. Marys High. He attended the Rossville Christian Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved living in the country where he enjoyed watching birds and the wildlife in the yard. Gary loved all kinds of music.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Robert Weis.

Gary was united in marriage to Debbie Peterman on December 20, 1970 at Vassar. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his children, Emily (Jerome) Hess, Alma and Jesse Ells, Rossville; a half brother, Matt Ells, in Missouri; two granddaughters Madeline and Meredith Hess.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 22, 2010 at the Rossville Christian Church. Inurnment will be at a later date. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Piper Funeral Home of St. Marys. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gary L. Ells Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date and sent in care of the funeral home.