Obituary of Ellen J. Paintin

Ellen J. Paintin, 80, lifetime resident of Oxford, died Friday, July 31, 2015 at her home, with her family surrounding her. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Friday, August 7, 2015, at the Oxford Methodist Church, with burial to follow at the Oxford Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Ellen's memory. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Ellen J. Frees was born June 1, 1935, in Oxford, the daughter of Marvin and Pearl (Anderson) Frees. She was united in marriage to Carl E. Paintin Jr. on December 30, 1952. In addition to raising eight children, caring for the home and her husband, Ellen worked as a CNA at the University of Iowa Hospitals for 27.5 years. After this she did day care services for many families of the Oxford Area, and for the past 15 years she has been a very dear soul that many have come to appreciate with funeral services held in Oxford through Gay & Ciha Funeral Home. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church in Oxford, where she also worked for many years. Ellen made sure everyone was welcome, whether it was in her home, the hospital, church or at the funeral home. Her unselfish care of others was her simple way of doing everything she did. She truly loved her family, and family was a very loose term, many around Oxford considered Ellen another mom, grandma, and friend! Her family includes her children, Carl "Spike" Paintin (Julie Elder) of Missouri, Leona Cashwell (Gary) of North Carolina, Chris Vickers (Jim) of Kansas, Renee Martin of Oxford, Tom Paintin (Becky) of Iowa City, Sandy James (Rick) of Missouri and Mary Madlock of Oxford.18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, a brother, Edward Frees of Coralville; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; daughter, Barbara Kalvig; grandson, and two brothers, Marvin and Robert Frees. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Ellen's family and her services.