June Berry Ellison passed on from this life on earth on March 26, 2020 at the family home in the embrace of her husband, David, and with two of her sons, Scott and Kirk, touching their beloved mother with reassuring love. June was born in San Francisco, CA, October 22, 1937, as June Irene Berry, the older daughter of her parents Warren Berry and Irene Ruth Reim. She is remembered by her relations in her youth and growing up as a sweet caring person, concerned with the well-being of others, and always ready to help. She had an early interest in becoming a Registered Nurse, and these attributes led naturally to her completion of RN education at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco in 1957. She attended BYU during the 1958-59 year, paying her way by working the night shift at the Provo, Utah Hospital. She continued her nursing employment in San Francisco, and then decided to seek to broaden her career by becoming an Air Force flight nurse.
In January, 1962, she commenced service at Charleston AFB, South Carolina as a First Lieutenant in the USAF. Soon she met First Lieutenant David R. Ellison, an Air Force JAG officer at the base. They dated, fell in love, got engaged May 4, 1962 and married in Charleston Heights, S.C. June 30, 1962.
The couple decided to extend their Air Force service, and were assigned to Wiesbaden Air Base in Germany, serving there till June of 1966 when David was reassigned to Oxnard AFB (now Camarillo Airport). June and David both loved Ventura County California and decided to settle in Ojai where they built the family home in 1975.
June was a wonderful mother and wife, always concerned for the well-being of her family, including being a fantastic cook who saw to it that nutrition and good health habits were emphasized. She loved beauty in a multitude of forms – a Beethoven sonata, a velvet-soft Karen Carpenter song, an herb or flower garden, the serenity of the Pacific coast, a quaint German village, the scenic charms of Ojai. She loved to welcome people into her home, get to know them, and appreciate them as individuals. June taught her children responsibility, showing them from a young age how to do their laundry, help around the house, and tend to the roses and chickens. She loved to see her children and grandchildren growing and becoming their own selves. She loved a good laugh, especially over a delightful irony or ridiculous moment shared with a loved one.
June is survived by her husband David R. Ellison and six children, Scott (Kimberly), Mark (Lauren), Kirk, Carla Cote’ (Denis), Wade, and Grant (Kristy); sister Carol Descalso of Williams, Oregon, and brother-in-law John R. Ellison of Albuquerque, NM; 11 grandchildren: Chris, Christina, Kasey, David, Stephanie, Courtney, Elisabeth, Charlotte Reim Cote’, Tyler, Liam and Lakin Ellison; nieces Rikki Miller and Kayla Miller, nephew Phil Ellison of Albuquerque NM, and two great grandchildren, Bennett Smith and Charlize Smith, children of June’s oldest granddaughter Kasey and Greg Smith of St. George, Utah. June was preceded in death by her parents, and her nephew Eric Descalso.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mission Home Health Hospice, an organization whose staff has been so helpful. The family is grateful to them and to all friends and relatives who have extended their love and condolences. A service and celebration of life are being planned for midsummer at the earliest to be consistent with the unique circumstances affecting our entire wide-spread community.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.