Mary Ellen Tennis, 69, of Haubstadt, Indiana, formerly of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Signature Healthcare in Newburgh, Indiana.

She was born February 15, 1952, the daughter of Eugene and Marjorie (Pool) Tennis in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  Mary Ellen graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1970 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Murray State University in 1974.  She was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. 

Mary Ellen was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Haubstadt, Indiana. She worked as a corporate marketing analyst for a refrigeration company and later for Dillard’s Department Store as a retail associate.  Mary Ellen was an avid reader.  She was an awesome cook and was always experimenting with different recipes.  Mary Ellen followed the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.  She enjoyed playing cards (was considered somewhat of a card shark) and adored her cats.  Her greatest love was being with her family.  When her sister Virginia died, she took her nephew Michael Schmitt into her home.  Mary Ellen relished the time she spent with her nieces and nephews.

Left to cherish Mary Ellen’s memory are her siblings Janet (Marion) James of Bristow, Indiana, Charles (Janice) Tennis of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and Barbara (Kirk) Peterson of Haubstadt, Indiana; brother-in-law, Thomas Schmitt, Sr.; nieces and nephews Michael Schmitt, Thomas Schmitt, Jr., Susie Schaefer, Melissa Schmitt David James, Daniel James, Cheryl Kingsburg, Jana Marriott, Ericka Obert and Alysa Kiesel.    

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Virginia Lee Schmitt; and nephew Jeffrey James.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, March 27, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 125 W. 5th Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois, with burial services in St. Mary’s Cemetery following the service.

Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service (12:00 noon) on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at St. Mary’s Church.  A rosary service will be at 11:00 a.m.  With visitation resuming until the time of service.

COVID-19 precautions will be in place--wearing of face coverings, social distancing and use of hand sanitizer is recommended.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s School General Fund.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com    

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tennis family.