Ella was the daughter of George and Orletta (Jarvis) Gantz. She was the 6th of 7 children born to them, and was named after her maternal grandmother. When Ella was 4 years old, her mother became ill with pneumonia and passed away. Her father remarried and had another son with his new wife in 1925. 8 months after his son was born, Ella's father committed suicide. Ella, now an orphan at the age of 9, lived with her sister Lucy and her husband Clarence.
Ella married Henry Wright Gould on November 16, 1932, and they had three children together: Donna Jean, Richard Leroy, and Ronald Henry John. Henry and Ella were divorced on July 10, 1944. Ella later married Evan Simkins on December 31, 1944. Donna and Richard lived with their father, while Ronald stayed with his mother, and even took the last name 'Simkins.' Evan owned a restaurant named Simkins Bar & Grill where Ella worked for many years. Somewhere in the late 50s or early 60s, Ella and Evan were divorced, but Ella kept the restaurant. It was renamed Ella's.
In 1962, Ella married a third time to Charles "Budd" Merritt. They were married for 30 years, until Budd's death in 1992. Ella passed away at the age of 81.
Ella married Henry Wright Gould on November 16, 1932, and they had three children together: Donna Jean, Richard Leroy, and Ronald Henry John. Henry and Ella were divorced on July 10, 1944. Ella later married Evan Simkins on December 31, 1944. Donna and Richard lived with their father, while Ronald stayed with his mother, and even took the last name 'Simkins.' Evan owned a restaurant named Simkins Bar & Grill where Ella worked for many years. Somewhere in the late 50s or early 60s, Ella and Evan were divorced, but Ella kept the restaurant. It was renamed Ella's.
In 1962, Ella married a third time to Charles "Budd" Merritt. They were married for 30 years, until Budd's death in 1992. Ella passed away at the age of 81.
Ella was the daughter of George and Orletta (Jarvis) Gantz. She was the 6th of 7 children born to them, and was named after her maternal grandmother. When Ella was 4 years old, her mother became ill with pneumonia and passed away. Her father remarried and had another son with his new wife in 1925. 8 months after his son was born, Ella's father committed suicide. Ella, now an orphan at the age of 9, lived with her sister Lucy and her husband Clarence.
Ella married Henry Wright Gould on November 16, 1932, and they had three children together: Donna Jean, Richard Leroy, and Ronald Henry John. Henry and Ella were divorced on July 10, 1944. Ella later married Evan Simkins on December 31, 1944. Donna and Richard lived with their father, while Ronald stayed with his mother, and even took the last name 'Simkins.' Evan owned a restaurant named Simkins Bar & Grill where Ella worked for many years. Somewhere in the late 50s or early 60s, Ella and Evan were divorced, but Ella kept the restaurant. It was renamed Ella's.
In 1962, Ella married a third time to Charles "Budd" Merritt. They were married for 30 years, until Budd's death in 1992. Ella passed away at the age of 81.
Ella married Henry Wright Gould on November 16, 1932, and they had three children together: Donna Jean, Richard Leroy, and Ronald Henry John. Henry and Ella were divorced on July 10, 1944. Ella later married Evan Simkins on December 31, 1944. Donna and Richard lived with their father, while Ronald stayed with his mother, and even took the last name 'Simkins.' Evan owned a restaurant named Simkins Bar & Grill where Ella worked for many years. Somewhere in the late 50s or early 60s, Ella and Evan were divorced, but Ella kept the restaurant. It was renamed Ella's.
In 1962, Ella married a third time to Charles "Budd" Merritt. They were married for 30 years, until Budd's death in 1992. Ella passed away at the age of 81.
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