Jane Ellis, age 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on October 25, 2025. She was a resident of Colorado Springs. Her town (as she called it) and Pikes Peak brought her constant peace and solace. When she retired from the newspaper business, she found purpose, pride, and friendship in her Villa de Mesa community, where she served on the HOA board for many years.
Jane was born on April 29, 1940, to William “Bill” Solomon Gilmere and Esther Margerine (Reese) Gilmere in Brookfield, Missouri. She graduated from Colorado Springs High School, now known as William J. Palmer High School, in 1958. Jane married Robert “Bob” Lee Ellis on January 25, 1958, in Colorado Springs.
Jane or “Miss Jane”, as Bob called her, was an advertising director, a mentor to many entering the advertising field, and an advocate for Women’s Affairs, Veterans Affairs, the El Pomar Foundation, and Native American schools. She was an artist, a lover of the mountains in Colorado, all things San Diego (El Cajon), and road trips. As her children, we would also like to say, “She was the coolest mom ever!”
Jane is survived by her son, Robert “Bobby” Lee Ellis, Jr. and wife, Claire; her daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Jane Elges and husband, John; and her daughter, Sandra “Sandy” Kay Pipkin. She leaves behind grandchildren: Jessica (Joel) Standeford, William (Joe) Ellis, Sarah Ellis, Haley (Austin) Inscho, Michael (Merry) Elges, Nicholas Elges, Thomas Elges, and Elizabeth (Peter) Krutz; and great-grandchildren: Judah, Elijah, Lucian, Leela, Bishop, Kaiden, and Mia. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Bob Ellis; her granddaughter, Katy Jane Elges; and her parents, Bill and Esther Gilmere.
A service will be held on November 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM, with arrival beginning at 12:30 PM at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. A reception will follow the service at the Colorado Mountain Brewery Roundhouse Location, 600 21st Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904, from 2:30 PM to 4:15 PM. Food and beverages will be provided.