Eleanor Dorothy Bookwalter

Ellie Bookwalter, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026. Proud Vassar graduate, Class of 1972, Ellie studied under archaeologist, Dr. Walter Fairservis, one of the monuments men of World War II. For two summers, she joined Fairservis’s expeditions to excavate sites in the Indus River Valley in Pakistan. In addition to cataloging artifacts, Ellie’s excellent organizational skills resulted in her handling much of the expedition’s logistical and administrative tasks. Later when working at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, she participated in setting up the Hall of Asian Man, a major exhibit at that time.

She returned to Indiana, studied for a Masters in Anthropology at Indiana University, taught briefly at Brebeuf, then settled into banking. At Merchants Bank for several years, she rose in positions of Teller, Branch Manager, and Loan Officer at Merchants’ downtown offices. Ellie ensured that the Merchants’ tradition of a beer celebration on balancing out on Friday closings. After the acquisition by National City Bank, then PNC, Ellie launched into a new course of study at Purdue; landscape architecture. Ever grateful for her Tudor Hall and Short Ridge Latin courses, Ellie could reel off the scientific names of 200 woody plants and trees until the last. Later, Ellie joined Rinky Boleman in a landscaping business. Then she turned to other pursuits and purchased a weekend home in New Harmony, Indiana.

Ellie’s Mumford cousins introduced her to the life of the New Harmony community which she supported, sponsored, and thoroughly enjoyed in their “Under the Beams” Concerts; Christopher Layer’s New Harmony Music Festival and School; many Hoosier Salon Paint Outs; Kunstfesten; and grilled baloney sandwiches at the Yellow Tavern.

In Indianapolis, Ellie also participated in many communities. Because she was a trusted employee at Merchants, Ellie was seconded to the Traders Point Charity Horse Show for two weeks every August for several years. There she handled significant cash transactions and cashed paychecks for the grooms, stable help, and competitors. Many of the best hunter-jumper and grand prix horses and riders in American participated in the TPCHS in Zionsville.

Additionally, Ellie was Treasurer and a fundraiser of the Friends of Holiday Park’s Capital Campaign for several years. She was particularly happy to have helped make possible the construction of the new Nature Center at Holiday Park.

Ellie belonged to several environmental advocacy and conservation groups. She served on the Board of Hoosier Environmental Council and as HEC’s Treasurer. She donated generously to Indiana Forest Alliance for its “Ecoblitz,” a 4-year biological inventory which identified 3,400 species of flora and fauna in a 900-acre tract of the Yellowwood/Morgan-Monroe State Forest Back Country Area. She supported the Central Indiana Land Trust and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful for decades.

For fun, Ellie was known for swimming across Walloon Lake in Michigan as well as Lakes Maxinkuckee and Wawasee. As an adult, she took sketching and water color courses at the Indianapolis Arts Center and pursued life-long hobbies of painting and knitting. Ellie belonged to the Traders Point Hunt and rode with them throughout the 1980s. She loved her horses Seaburg, Joe, and Willie who rewarded her with hours of delightful time outdoors. With her love of flowers, Ellie joined the Indianapolis Garden Club and the Indiana Plant and Wildflower Society. Ellie looked up her family tree and gained many new friends in Colonial Dames. She also belonged to The Dramatic Club. Amateur theatre in this busy age still matters to many, and Ellie performed in plays and enjoyed the performances of her friends as well.

Ellie loved her dog, Lowie, who is now living happily with another old terrier at the home of Joanna, one of the Woofsies Dogwalkers.

Her family members mourn her greatly: Mother, Eleanor F. Bookwalter; brother Charles A. Bookwalter III, his wife, Julie and her sister Susan Pasquale; their children, Emily and Scott Wollschleger and their son, Ellie’s great nephew, Henry, and Andrew and J.B. Bookwalter and fiancé, Sarah Spivak, MD; sister Mary Bookwalter and her husband, Jeff Stant; Mary’s son, Robert McInteer, and Pamela Kane and son Lucas. She was also close to many cousins in the Frenzel family.

The Bookwalters wish to thank many who supported Ellie in her medical care these last three years; Dr. Richard Milton gave her the most concise, professional, and clear-eyed assessments. Furthermore, he was kind and was able to provide her a very good quality of life. Radiologist, Dr. Robert Liebross, also provided excellent treatment and healthy doses of humor. In her final weeks, Vera Baxter and her staff: Diana Horne, Mynecia Henderson, Autumn Winstead, and Roshanda Whiteside, and the nurses at Elevate Hospice gave Ellie, comfort, care, and dignity in Ellie’s home.

A family service is being held graveside at Crown Hill.

Arrangements made by Leppert Mortuary. Please visit www.leppertmortuary.com to share a memory of Ellie. Donations in Ellie’s memory may be made to Friends of Indy Animals or Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. Yes! There will be a CELEBRATION of her LIFE.