Elsie L. Gray, 94 years of Bryan, passed away peacefully, Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice Center, Defiance. Elsie was born October 7, 1931, in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of the late August and Helena Marie (VanDeBussche) Van Poppel. She was a 1951 graduate of Bryan High School. Elsie married Mickey Gray on October 21, 1967, in Angola, Indiana, and he preceded her in death on February 8, 1997. Elsie was a telephone operator for GTE. She later worked in the lady’s apparel department at Kmart. She then worked in the cafeteria at St. Patrick Catholic School. She provided care to many families who needed her help. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bryan. Elsie enjoyed playing cards, showing her artistic side, painting portraits, and spending time with family and her friends, but she always enjoyed having fun.

Surviving is her daughter, Paula Keller of Bryan; five grandchildren, Lisa (Mike) Martinez, Christina (Andy) Bonnett, Matthew (Danielle) Keller, Andrew (Jillian) Keller and Alex Keller; ten great-grandchildren, Micayla Martinez and Marissa Martinez, Caitlin Wood, Jennica (Michael) Rogers, Ali Bonnett, and Aidan Bonnett, Gavin Keller, Layla Keller, Olive Keller and Cohen Keller; two great-great-grandchildren, Blaze and Otto Rogers; stepson, Michael (Rosemary) Gray of Cedar Springs, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Mickey, two brothers, Ted and Louis Van Poppel.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan, with the recitation of the Rosary beginning at 6:45 p.m. Elsie’s Memorial Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 610 Portland Street with Father Andrew Wellmann officiating. Private interment will take place in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family, or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com