Ellen Marie Adams, age 86, of Dover, died early Sunday, May 31, 2026, while in Park Village Health Care Center at Dover under the care of Ohio’s Hospice.

Born in Dover on July 11, 1939, Ellen was a daughter of the late Claude O. Hanks, Sr. and Esther L. Fazenbaker Hanks. Ellen was a 1957 graduate of Dover High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Ernest Ralph “Jack” Adams on August 14, 1960. Together the couple raised two daughters and shared in 47 years of marriage prior to Jack’s passing on December 19, 2007.

Ellen was employed by the former Sparta Manufacturing (Flourocarbon) at Dover where she worked as a Quality Control Manager. She was a longtime member of the Dover First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed gardening, was an avid reader and cherished time spent with her family, especially her granddaughters.

Surviving are her daughters, Darla (Dave) Polce and Kellie Adams all of Dover; two granddaughters, Emily (Eric) Nash of Bowling Green, Ohio and Erin (Liam Cox) Polce of Pasadena, Maryland; a brother, James (Susan) Hanks of Florida; a sister-in-law, Carol Hanks of Dover; as well as her nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ellen was preceded in death by a brother, Claude O. Hanks, Jr.

In keeping with Ellen’s wishes, cremation care is to take place with a private burial service to be held at a later date in the Dover Burial Park. The Geib Funeral Center at Dover is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions in Ellen’s name may be directed to the Ohio’s Hospice Foundation, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.