Mary Ellen Hartley, 80, formerly of Xenia, passed away Friday, April 28, 2017 at Symphony at Oaklawn in Louisville, Kentucky. She was born August 3, 1936, in Greenfield, Ohio, the daughter of Berlye and Kathryn Kersey Cameron. She is survived by two daughters, Debbie (Rick) Furber, Louisville, Kentucky, and Susan (Jim) Kime, Toledo, Ohio, a son, Robert Edward Hartley, Xenia, and a sister, Sue (Don) Woodland, Springfield, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Harold R. Hartley "Bob", on August 12, 1998.

Mary Ellen graduated in 1954 from McClain High School in Greenfield, Ohio. She met Bob Hartley on a blind date while he was stationed at Clinton County Air Force Base in Wilmington, Ohio. She and Bob married in 1958 at a ceremony in her parents' home in Greenfield.  After honeymooning in Niagara Falls they moved to Lowell, Massachusetts.

In 1964 they returned to Ohio making their home and raising their family in Xenia. They enjoyed the Xenia community and also many summers and special family times at Rocky Fork Lake. Mary Ellen and Bob enjoyed traveling throughout the US, Canada, Cayman Islands and also went on a Caribbean cruise. While they visited many places, Hawaii was always their favorite.

Mary Ellen was a member of Northside Christian Church in Xenia. Mary Ellen was employed at Xenia City Schools for 25 years and retired in 1998. She spent most of this time as a teacher's aid for kindergarten classes at both Shawnee Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary.  She enjoyed working with children at this age and also watching them progress in their education and careers throughout the years. She also enjoyed shopping and dining with her close friends.

Mary Ellen relocated to Toledo, Ohio in 2000 to be closer to her daughters and lived there until moving to Louisville in 2014. She enjoyed baking, sewing, crafting, collecting bears, reading and her most recent hobby of coloring. Mary Ellen will always be remembered as being sweet, kind, and brave.

The family would like to thank the staff of Symphony at Oaklawn for their extraordinary assistance to both Mary Ellen and family, and also the staff at Hosparus Louisville (Jefferson County) for their help and compassion.

Services will be held on Friday, May 5, at Neeld Funeral Home, 1276 N. Detroit St., Xenia.  Visitation will be held from 10am – 11am, immediately followed by the funeral. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hosparus (Louisville) in her memory. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com .