Mary Ellen Jones

Mary Ellen Jones, age 78, of Grants Pass, died Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Royale Gardens Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Mary Ellen was a woman of many facets. She was always full of energy, and had an unstoppable enthusiasm for whatever happened to capture her interest. She had a tremendous repertoire of poetry and prose memorized, and could often be found reciting theatrically, anything from Mother Goose to Shakespeare, on a whim. She loved to play piano for others in the dining room at Brookdale, where she lived, and in her daughters living room for her grandchildren, whenever she had the opportunity.

Mary Ellen loved playing card games, dressing up, and yard sale and thrift shopping. In recent years, she took up crossword and jigsaw puzzles to keep her mind sharp, despite her humorous, and often-cited affliction with CRS. (Can't Remember *Stuff*).

Mary Ellen was born in Grants Pass, OR. to Leola Lorraine Coy, and John (Jack) Daniel Illig in 1937. She grew up Mary Ellen Mills with her foster mother Vivy D. Mills, and her foster sister Betty Mills, in Grants Pass and graduated from Grants Pass High School. She went on to become one of only two policewomen in Medford, Oregon in 1963, and worked in that capacity until 1968.

Mary Ellen met Robert (Bob) Whisenant in 1969, and they were married on Valentine's Day, 1971. After her daughter Tahni was born, Mary Ellen drove school bus in Grants Pass for a number of years. She worked in Jackson County courts and Josephine County courts and often ran a booth at the flea market on the weekends.

Later, Mary Ellen helped run a private investigation business out of her home in Medford Oregon. She joined a mountain man group with her friend and partner, Dale Hansen, and they were married in full mountain man fashion, while on a mountain man retreat. She loved and owned horses on her small ranch in Medford for many years.

Mary Ellen was active in her church, the Mustang Club, rock and gem clubs, the Sheriffs Posse, Red Cross, bowling, and she once owned and rode her own Harley. She volunteered at Wildlife Images, and for a short time, volunteered at the Sheriffs station in Merlin, Oregon. She loved her dogs immensely, and often donated to the Humane Society thrift shop in Grants Pass.

Finally, Mary Ellen loved being surrounded by people, making new acquaintances, and spending time with friends. She enjoyed being a good friend. One such friend of many years, recently and lovingly referred to her as a 'handful'. An accurate description for such an energetic soul, and something to which Mary Ellen would proudly agree.

She will be missed.

Mary Ellen is survived by three young grandchildren, her daughter Tahni Whisenant, and her niece Donnalee Hargis.