Ella Combs-Larmann

Pamela "Ella" S. Combs-Larmann, 65, of Newburgh, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025 at home with family. Born Pamela Sue Combs, on April 25, 1959 in Danville, Illinois, the daughter of the late Raymond Dale Combs and Edith May (Pyle) Combs of Hoopeston, Illinois.

Ella graduated from Hoopeston-East Lynn High School in 1977. She attended Olivet Nazarene University, Trinity College (Illinois), and Point Loma Nazarene University, before receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, specializing in Painting and Drawing, in 1983 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then attended the University of Cincinnati where a Master of Fine Arts degree in Drawing was conferred in 1985.

Ella was married to Ralph M. Larmann, Jr. on August 24, 1985 in Hoopeston, Illinois. After receiving her MFA degree she moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia where she was an adjunct professor at James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. She was a full-time faculty member at Loyola University Chicago, Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia, and the University of Evansville. She also served as an adjunct professor for Indiana University-Indianapolis Herron School of Art, Indiana University-Kokomo, St. Francis University-Columbus, Indiana, Harlaxton College-Grantham, England, and the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville.

Ella was a talented artist and avid flower gardener. Her artwork exhibited the expressive joy that she had for life, often depicting birds, flowers, and the joys of living. She exhibited work in Illinois, Cincinnati, Virginia, Chicago, Indianapolis, Arkansas, and Evansville. While working in England in 2017, she worked with the grounds team at Harlaxton College restoring a vintage garden, and visited over twenty English country gardens. She was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church where she enjoyed helping create the artwork for their annual Vacation Bible School. She was a devout Christian and philanthropist who practiced the words of Jesus by giving to helpful causes and providing personal care and assistance to many.

Ella is survived by her husband of 40 years, Ralph M. Larmann Jr. of Newburgh, her two children, Allison Combs Larmann of Washington, D.C. and Ralph "Tip" M. Larmann III of Chicago. She is also survived by a sister, Linda C. (Combs) and her husband David Reynolds of Green Bay, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Martha Schafer of Erlanger, Kentucky; brothers-in-law, Martin Larmann and Russell Larmann of the Cincinnati area; and many other extended family members.

Friends and family may visit from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel 5333 Old Indiana 261, Newburgh, Indiana. A Celebration of Life service will follow visitation at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to FeedingAmerica.org.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.