Joseph “Bryan” Elliott, 69, passed away peacefully at 6:50 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Marion Health after a long illness.
He is predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Anis Elliott.
Bryan was born in Marion, Indiana, on February 4, 1956, and graduated from Mississinewa High School in 1974. He attended Ball State University, where he graduated in 1979 with a degree in Secondary School Education and later, a master’s degree in administration.
He spent 43 years in public education, serving as a coach, US History and US Government teacher, Assistant Principal, and Athletic Director, serving most of his tenure at Mississinewa High School.
An avid Chicago Cubs, Indiana Hoosiers, and NASCAR fan, Bryan loved sports and had a passion for coaching and teaching. He decided it was time to retire from education after often having third generation students in his classes. While coaching at Mississinewa, he successfully led the Lady Indians softball team to a CIC championship in 1989, and Lady Indians basketball teams to three sectional championships in 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Bryan cherished time spent with his family, being married for 39 years to his wife, Kandis. While he was busy with work, he made it a priority to travel every year with his family, enjoying special trips to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska, which was his personal favorite.
He loved spending time with his grandson and was a proud supporter of Special Olympics Indiana, supporting his son, Matt in basketball and swimming events throughout the state, and especially enjoyed cheering Matt in the State Finals in Terre Haute. He never missed a single event of his daughter’s, who participated in dance, golf, gymnastics, and track-and -field. He especially cherished their time together while he was coaching and supported her while continuing the family tradition of becoming an educator for Mississinewa Community Schools.
Bryan was especially excited for the upcoming births of identical twin grandsons (Elliott and Easton Scott) and another great-niece.
The family would like to thank the healthcare teams at Marion Health, Heart to Heart Hospice as well as the administrative and rehabilitation staff at Colonial Oaks Health and Rehabilitation for the care provided to Bryan.
He is survived by his wife, Kandis Elliott (Leckron); son, Matthew “Matt” Elliott; daughter, Kylee (Payton) Scott; grandson, Elias “Eli” Scott; mother-in-law, Marjorie Leckron; brother-in-law, Kris Leckron; sister-in-law, Melody Leckron; niece, Kailey (Jacob) Whitenack; nephew, Jake Leckron; and great-niece, Adalyn Whitenack.
“Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21
Visitation will be held at Westview Wesleyan Church 1300 W. 6th St., Jonesboro, IN from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM at the church on Saturday, March 15, 2025 with an additional one-hour of visitation prior to service with Pastor Bob Streeter and Pastor Steve Armes assisting. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, Bryan wished for donations to be sent to Grant County Special Olympics PO Box 1093, Marion, IN 46952.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel 400 E. Main St., Gas City, Indiana.
