Ellen "Ellie" Jane Jackson, 81, of Fort Wayne, passed away on October 16, 2025.  The Ossian native was born on July 5, 1944, a daughter of the late Orville and Della (Springer) Hilsmier.  Ellen graduated from Ossian High School in 1962 and went on to become a licensed beautician after finishing Warner Beauty College in 1963.  Ellen cut hair for fifteen years co-owning the beauty salon, Ebony and Ivory.  In 1979, Ellen sold her portion of the business and started cooking fulltime at Laycoff's Taven.  Ellen was the main line cook at Layoff's for twenty years.  Ellen also cooked at the Gin Mill Restaurant, American Legion #499, and BAE Systems.  Ellen enjoyed spending time with family, reading books, talking on the telephone, and playing on her tablet.

Ellen is survived by her son, Nathaniel (Sarah) Mendill;  sister, Ann Marie Voors;  brother, Orville (Margie) Hismier, Jr;  several nieces and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, General Jackson Jr.; and siblings, Robert Lee Hilsmier, Annette Bunnell, and Donna Hippensteele.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, October 24, 2025 at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 16933 Thiele Road, Fort Wayne, IN  46819 with visitation beginning at 9:00 am.  Burial to follow the service at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Contribution in Ellen's honor, may be made to the family.  To sign the online guestbook, go to www.fairhavenfortwayne.com