Irene Crater Ellis, 98, of Bethlehem, PA formerly of Gladstone, NJ passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Country Meadows Retirement Community in Bethlehem, PA.

She was born in Gladstone on May 27, 1925 a daughter of the late C. Ruston and Augusta Pezukat Crater.  She had resided in Gladstone before moving to Bethlehem, PA in 2014 to be closer to family.

Irene was a 1943 graduate of Bernards High School in Bernardsville.

Mrs. Ellis was an operations supervisor employed by New Jersey Bell Telephone and AT&T in East Hanover for 33  years before retiring in 1975.

She was a member of the Peapack – Gladstone Womens Club where she served as secretary; the Happy Rockers Senior Citizens Club in Peapack – Gladstone where she served as president; and the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post # 216 of Peapack – Gladstone.

She was a longtime member of the Peapack Reformed Church in Gladstone.

Irene was most content working in her garden, doing her knitting and sewing, and almost any kind of craft activity.

She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Russell O. Ellis, who passed away December 10, 1991; by a grandson, Matthew Ellis; and by her companion of many years, John Amerman, with whom she shared many overseas trips and other memories.

Mrs. Ellis is survived by two sons, Wayne E. Ellis of Myrtle Beach, SC and Bruce O. Ellis of Chapel Hill, NC; a daughter, Janet E. Pellek and her husband, Robert F. Pellek of Saylorsburg, PA; 7 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren.

Funeral service at the Layton Funeral Home, 475 Main Street, Bedminster on Saturday, February 10th at 12:00pm.  Interment will follow at New Germantown Cemetery, Oldwick.  Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral Saturday from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to one’s favorite charity.