Ellen Louise Butler Riffe, 87, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home on May 15, 2026.
Born on September 14, 1938, in Rubyville, Ohio, Ellen was the daughter of the late Omar Butler and Clara Raike Butler. She was also preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Madeline Riffe Cross, and her brother, Charles R. Butler.
Ellen is survived by her devoted husband, Nelson Lee Riffe; her daughter, Lauri Ann Yates and son-in-law Harlan Yates; and her grandson, Anthony Nelson Cross.
Ellen attended the old Rubyville School and graduated from Clay High School in 1956. While still in school, she worked part-time at Mercy Hospital and later entered nurse training there following graduation. In 1958, she married Nelson, then a young soldier, beginning a life filled with adventure, service, and travel.
The couple first moved to Seattle, Washington, where Ellen worked in medical insurance claims. During the first 17 years of marriage, she experienced 12 major relocations as part of military life. Their daughters were born at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Fort Benning, Georgia.
Throughout the years, Ellen lived and worked in numerous locations across the United States and overseas, including Bangkok, Thailand; the Panama Canal Zone; and Worms, Germany. In addition to her professional career, she was active in volunteer service in the communities where she lived.
While residing in Germany for more than 13 years, Ellen built a distinguished civil service career as a personnel specialist in Mannheim, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, and Darmstadt. She ultimately became GS-12 Chief of the Technical Services Branch, a position reflecting her dedication, professionalism, and leadership.
Ellen especially cherished her years in Worms, Germany, a city rich in history as the site of Martin Luther’s famous “Here I Stand” declaration during the Diet of Worms. Ellen and Nelson were honored guests of the German government for three days at Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, where Luther translated the Bible from Greek into German—an experience they treasured deeply.
She enjoyed living overseas, driving on the German Autobahn, following NASCAR, and most of all spending time with her daughters and family, who lived nearby in Germany and later in Melbourne.
Care has been entrusted to D.W. Swick & Son Funeral and Cremation Services in Sciotoville, Ohio, with final arrangements at a later date.
Online memories and condolences may be shared at DWSwickFunerlHome.com
