Mary Ellen Reinke, 55, Valley Falls, died unexpectedly Sunday, June 22, 2014, at her home.

She was born Dec. 19, 1958, at Lincoln Park, MI, the daughter of John and Ruth Morrison Barry. She graduated from Lincoln Park, MI, High School. She was a member of St. Mathews Lutheran Church in Nortonville.

Mary Ellen was a Certified Nurse Assistant, a Certified Medical Aide, and a Restorative Physical Therapy Aide. She had worked at Lee House in Valley Falls for over 20 years. She had been a legal guardian and worked as a paraprofessional for USD 338 at Valley Falls, USD 339 at Nortonville, and USD 377 at Effingham.

She married Allen R. Reinke on April 18, 1987, at Sterling Heights, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Barry, and a brother, Jess Joseph Barry, who died in infancy.

Survivors include her husband, Allen, of the home, two sons, Timothy A. (Brandy) Reinke, St. Joseph, MO, and Bryan A. Reinke (Trevor Schuler), Wetmore; three brothers, William Barry, Newport, MI, John Barry Jr, Spring Valley, CA, and Michael Barry, Wyandotte, MI; a sister, Patricia Clark, Browntown Twp, MI; and four grandchildren, Marcus Reinke, Elijah Reinke, Zoey Reinke and Charisma Reinke.

The Memorial Service will be at 3:00 pm Sunday, June 29, 2014, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until service time. Inurnment will follow at the Valley Falls Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County EMS District 11 or to the Valley Falls Food Pantry.