Allena Nicole Gelfius

Allena Nicole Gelfius, age 22, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday May 12, 2026, in Columbus, Indiana.

She was born on August 23, 2003 in Columbus to Jonathan Gelfius and Kimberly (Hull) Avery.

Allena is survived by her mother, Kimberly Avery of Columbus, father, Jonathan and stepmother, Pacia Gelfius of Shelbyville; brothers, Blake Avery and Cammrin Avery, both of Columbus, Dalton Gelfius of Shelbyville, maternal grandparents, Richard and Sandra Hull of Columbus, and paternal grandparents, David and Barbara Gelfius of Columbus.

She was preceded in death by her uncle Ricky Hull, and baby sister Katie Avery.

Allena was a 2021 graduate of Columbus Signature Academy-New Tech and received the Richard Lugar Academic Recognition award. She attended the University of Indianapolis graduating cum laude in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She forged new friendships while at college, loved city life, and enjoyed attending crochet club.

Allena was a gifted artist and often placed her artwork in competitions, winning several awards through the years. She loved trudging through the mud with her fellow Spider Lab students and used her artistic ability to illustrate newly found species. In her younger years she spent countless hours at the Hamilton Ice Center in Columbus where she competed in figure skating.

Allena shared a unique sense of humor with her parents. She counted her mom as one of her closest friends and enjoyed outdoor activities with her papa. Allena had close relationships with each of her three younger brothers. Whether hanging with Blake at the skating rink or kayaking; watching movies or playing video games with Cammrin; or hitting the flea markets with Dalton to add to his endless clock collection, she truly embodied being a big sister.

Allena lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed trying new things and traveling. She impacted everyone who knew her and truly had a heart of gold. She will be forever missed.

Please join us in celebrating Allena with a memorial service at Jewell-Rittman
Funeral Service and Crematory in Columbus on Saturday May 30th at 2:00PM with Robb Besosa officiating. A reception will immediately follow from 3:00 to 5:00PM.

Donations can be made to Stupid Cancer (stupidcancer.org), Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, or any preferred organization focused on cancer research. You are invited to share memories of Allena with her family via the funeral home website: www.jewellrittman.com.