INMAN - Mary Ellen "Tootsie" Perry, 84, died Dec. 21, 2008, at Pleasant View Home, Inman.

She was born Dec. 27, 1923, in Ellinwood, the daughter of Clyde Orville and Abbie Josephine Thorpe Drake. A longtime area resident, she was a former employee for Dillon's Deli at B and Main, and ran an in-home daycare for many years.

She belonged to the First Church of God, and the P.R.C.A., where she was the bookkeeper and treasurer.

In 1943, she married Jack Delbert Perry in Hutchinson. He died in May 1980.

Survivors include: a brother, Gerald Drake and wife, Joan, Hutchinson; three sisters, Helen Minor, and Geraldine Durbin, both of Hutchinson, and Leona Janzen and husband, Elmer, Inman; two grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by a son, Danny Perry, a daughter, Jacqualine "Jackie' E. Perry, two brothers, Clyde S. and an infant brother, James S. Drake, and a sister, Virginia Palermo.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 23, 2008, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, Hutchinson. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will be in Penwell Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice Care of Kansas, McPherson, in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave condolences for the family.