B aird-Freeman Funeral Home

221 North Meridian

Portland, Indiana 47371

260-726-7171

Ellen Louise Gelzleichter, age 85, of Portland passed away Saturday November 27, 2021 in Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. She was born in Portland on July 3, 1936 the daughter of Donald and Martha (Abbott) Crouse. She was married on December 25, 1959 to Fred Gelzleichter and he passed away on June 11, 2000. She retired in 1996 as a teacher with Jay School Corporation. She had taught in Liberty, Pennville and East Elementary. She was a 1954 Jefferson High School graduate and also a graduate of Ball State University. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority, Ball State University Alumni Association, Indiana Retired Teacher's Association, Indiana State Teachers Association, NEA, AARP, patron of Jay County Arts Place , Portland Foundation Women's Giving Circle, Guiding Eyes for Blind Association PETA, Boy's Town, World Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Arbor Day Foundation, National Park Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, Environmental Defense Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Lung Association, Special Olympics and Doctors Without Borders.

Surviving are one daughter Michele Gelzleichter of Sunbury, Ohio, one sister Sue Paxson of Noblesville, sister in laws Mary Rose Landess of Portland and Mary Crouse of Portland. She was preceded in death by two brothers Melvin and Jim Crouse.

Funeral services will be Friday December 3, 2021 at 6:00 PM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Kate Homan presiding. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. on Friday. Memorials can be made to American Kidney Foundation, Midwest Pet Refuge or PETA. Online condolences at www.baird-freeman.com