On Sunday, September 14, 2014, Jesus swept Ellen Reed Thompson away to heaven. She had been waiting for Him. Born October 16, 1928 to Norman and Isabelle (Mauger) Thompson, in Rutherford, NJ, she was 4th of six children. At 3 yrs. she would ask her Dad, "pay (play) me to sleep," and thus began a lifelong love of Christian hymns. Ellen's hymn collection resides now in the Wheaton College Library.

Pursuing her love of music, Ellen held degrees in music from Houghton College, where she was voted "Sportsman of the Year" in '50, Columbia University Teachers College, M.A. in Music Education, and from American Conservatory of Music with a Masters of Music. She was professor of piano and theory for 39 years at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, chairing the theory department for about 25 years. In 1976 she was voted Senior Teacher of the Year and her book, Teaching and Understanding Contemporary Piano Music, was published by Kjos-West. A composer, theorist, advisor, conductor and performer, she directed the Concert Choir and Women's Glee Club, was a member of the College Music Society, and also the Central Midwest Theory Conference. But she cared first and foremost for the souls of her students. A former student said it best, "She inspired all of us with her personal greatness of soul and intellect."

She also served many years in College Church, which commissioned her to compose an oratorio, Temple of God, in 1978, and the hymn Soli Deo Gloria! in 1993, for the dedication of their new sanctuary. At various times she directed their Youth and Chancel choirs, composing and arranging pieces for them as well as being a free-lance composer, arranger, editor, and pianist for Scripture Press from 1960-84.

When classes let out each spring, she traveled extensively, and many summers shared her love of nature and water when she taught aquatics and the Counselors in Training course at Pioneer Girls Camp Cherith. An avid amateur ornithologist, she loved the music of song birds, and could imitate many of them. A colleague commended her saying she was a total musician and person, well-rounded, well-read, a lover of both the inner recesses of music and the outer glories of God's creation.

In later years she served her Lord through the Women's Missionary Fellowship, reading missionary correspondence and compiling their needs into a prayer calendar. She was a loving "Aunt Ellen" to many nieces and nephews who will miss her enthusiastic encouragement wrapped together with her faithful prayers.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 28th at 2 pm in Windsor Park Manor, 124 Windsor Park Dr, Carol Stream, IL 60188. A graveside service will be held October 25, 2014, in the family cemetery, Lyndhurst, N.J.

More information and guest book is available at www.hultgrenfh.com or call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.