Ilse Lewis, Martinsville, IN, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024. She was 87 years old. Ilse was born in Schwetzingen Germany to her parents Joseph and Katharina Reuther. Ilse married her husband, James Lewis, in 1954 and they shared 49 years of marriage together until James passed away in 2002.
Ilse was a homemaker for her family all throughout her life. Ilse was raised catholic and attended church into her adulthood; eventually, Ilse would attend a baptist church to continue her faith. Ilse enjoyed vegetable gardening and raising chickens. She was a talented baker and cook who provided meals for her family. She loved to watch and feed the birds that lived near her home, especially hummingbirds. Ilse was a lifelong animal lover; she raised several cats and dogs alongside her family. Ilse's caring personality and relaxed sense of humor will be dearly missed by those she leaves behind.
Ilse is survived by her children, Kathy (John) Garrison, Werner Lewis, and Nancy Jones; her grandchildren, Justina Mahurin, Melissa Griffith, Carey Clouser, Gracie Lewis, Brian Kappes, Jessica Phillips. Amanda Jones, Samuel Lewis, Tabatha Lewis, and Crystal Evans; her many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Ilse is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Lewis; her son, Herbert Lewis.
A visitation for Ilse will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The funeral service will be on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 11:00 am.

Donations

For those choosing to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests that donations be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.