Charlotte Eileen Davis, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Kokomo on June 25, 2018, with her loving husband, Jim, by her side as always. She was born on Feb. 19, 1935, in Marinette, Wisconsin, to Clarence and Signora (Christensen) Ellis and grew up in a large family on a chicken farm.

Char and Jim were high school sweethearts, with both graduating from Marinette High School in 1953. They married on Sept. 1, 1956.

Char went on to graduate with a degree in practical nursing from the Milwaukee Institute of Technology in 1956 and began a long career in nursing. Many years later she went back to school, and in 1983, at the age of 48, earned a degree from Indiana University at Kokomo to further her career as a registered nurse.

Among the places she worked as a nurse were University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee, and St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo.

She and Jim began playing competitive duplicate bridge together early in their marriage and Char ended up attaining the rare rank of Gold Life Master. Over the years, they enjoyed traveling to bridge tournaments around the country, as well as playing with the Kokomo Bridge Club, where Char was club manager for many years.

Char was a voracious reader and loved tending to the flowers in her yard and doing word puzzles. She also was an excellent cook and delighted in showing her love for family through food.

She is survived by four of her five children, along with their spouses, Mike (Ann) Davis, Sheri (Kerry) Ferguson, Jodi (Robert) Burks, and James (Paula) Davis. Her eldest daughter, Lori (John) Jones, preceded her in death in 2008.

In addition, she was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, the youngest of them born the day before Char passed.

She was the youngest of seven brothers and sisters. Clarence was killed in action in World War II and Eileen died of rheumatic fever at age 9 before Char was born. Also preceding her in death were Betty (Louis) DeGroot, Ardith (Donald) Boehmke, and Richard (Charlotte) Ellis. She is survived by her brother, Elmer (Mary Jane) Ellis.

Over her last 19 years, Char battled multiple cancers and strokes and never ceased to inspire her family with her strength, courage and determination to be there for them through her own struggles.

The family would like to thank Dr. Lance Washington; Southern Care Hospice; Dr. Bradley Vossberg and his staff at Community Howard Specialty Hospital; and Great Lakes Caring Home Health. All of them provided compassionate care during Char's toughest challenges.

Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30, followed by funeral services at 4 p.m., both at the Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo. The Revs. Nathan Kibler and Fred Dorisse will be officiating. Private entombment will take place at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in Char's memory to the American Cancer Society or First Christian Church, Kokomo.