Ella Busch, age 98, of 339 E. Jamestown Rd., W. Salem Twp., passed away Saturday morning, December 2, 2017 in The Ridgewood at St. Paul's. 

She was born in New Castle, PA on February 23, 1919 to Samuel J. and Elizabeth (Ritchie) Bratschie.  Ella received her Secretarial Degree from Grove City College in 1939.  From 1939 until 1946 she was employed as a secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Office in New Castle.  Then starting in 1946, she was employed by Thiel College where she started her career as a receptionist, then worked as the assistant controller in the business office and as a personnel officer, and from 1979 until her retirement in 1983, she served as the Assistant to the President. 

In recognition of her service to the college, she was named an Honorary Alumna of Thiel College in 1987.  In addition, from 1957 until 1999, she and her late husband owned and operated Busch's Christmas Tree Sales in Greenville.  She was a member of Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ, Greenville, where she was active with the Women of Zion's.  Ella was also active in The Order of Eastern Star, Thiel Women's Club and The Society of 1866 at Thiel, St. Paul Homes Auxiliary and the PEO Sisterhood. 

On May 1, 1946 she married Carl E. Busch, he passed away on December 9, 1999. 

Ella is survived y her niece; Mary Mosher of Westerville, OH.  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Merry Patton and a brother, Lester Bratschie.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm Friday, December 8, 2017 in the Chapel of Zion's Reformed U.C.C. Church, Greenville, with Rev. June Boutwell, Interim Pastor of the church, officiating.  Inurnment will be in the Columbarium of Zion's Reformed U.C.C.

Memorial contributions may be made to Thiel College, 1 College Ave., Greenville, PA 16125 or Zion's Reformed U.C.C., 260 Main St., Greenville, PA 16125.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville.