Ellen Jean Hodges, M.S.W., JD.  Ellen passed away on May 14,2007 in her home in Troy, MI after a long illness.  She was a native of Three Rivers, MI. and formerly from White Pigeon and Battle Creek.  Ellen was a multifaceted person who had several careers in her short lifetime.  After graduating high school, she earned a bachelors degree from Ferris State University. She started her career path teaching in the Detroit area. Ellen then went on to receive her Masters Degree in Social Work from Michigan State University after which she worked as a Social Worker at Northville State Hospital and Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. Her final career choice took her to the Detroit College of Law where she received her Judicial Doctorate. She practiced law for many years in the Detroit area. She was a member of the Michigan Bar Association.  Ellen dearly loved music, and was an accomplished musician, having played violin with the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra. She was also a gifted vocalist, singing with the choir at Kirk in the Hills, in Bloomfield Michigan where she was a member. Survivors included her beloved mother, Phyllis (Todd) Allred, her brother, Courtney (Luanne) Hodges, step mother, Helen Hodges, half sister, Sally (Tim) Armstrong and step brother Scott Hodges; three nieces, five nephews, along with Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

Information from Battle Creek Enquirer online on May 22, 2007