Mary V. “Ginger” (Ervin) Leeling, 74 of Visalia, California, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.
Ginger (as she was most commonly known) was born May 2, 1950, in Alton, Illinois, the daughter of Marion M. “Doc” and Virginia A. (Wittman) Ervin.
Ginger was the oldest of 8 children. She took her role as the big sister very seriously. Ginger’s children, Christine M. (Ellis) and her husband, John Tharp of Visalia, California; John W. Ellis and his wife, Nikki of Modesto, California and Jody (Ellis) Pickinpaugh of Visalia, California were her greatest sources of pride and joy. Ginger was incredibly proud of the good people she had raised her children to be. Ginger absolutely loved being “Gram” to grandchildren, Kaela (Tharp) and Eric Caetano, Ashley (Ellis) and Savino Perico, John Ellis JR, and Brayden Tharp. Ginger was also known as “GG” to her first great-granddaughter, Harper Marie Caetano. When Harper arrived, she felt as though her life was complete.
Ginger is survived by her children and their spouses; grandchildren and their spouses; great-granddaughter, Harper Caetano; brothers, Ed (Barb) of Arizona; Dan (Ann) Ervin of Missouri; Tom (Diana) Ervin of Alaska; Joe (Peggy) Ervin of Wyoming; sisters, Julie Elmendorf of Illinois; Susan (Roger) Starrett of Wyoming and Kathryn (Keith) Leonard of Arizona. She is survived by her sidekick, Pepe, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, several aunts and uncles.
