Obituary for Ellen Vallimont (Miller)
Ellen Miller Vallimont, age 73, was surrounded by her family when she passed away on May 17, 2022, at Penn Highlands DuBois.
Ellen was born on October 21, 1948, in Clearfield, PA. She was the daughter of J. Richard Miller, Sr. and Lucille Merry Miller. She graduated in 1966 from Clearfield Area High School and was a senior class officer. She also graduated from Hagerstown Medical Secretarial School in Hagerstown, MD, in 1967.
Following her education, Ellen worked as a secretary in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Harrisburg, PA. She was the original secretary for the Henry B. Meyer High Rise in Clearfield, PA, and personal secretary for Ray Walker, owner of Bradford Coal, in Bigler, PA.
On May 10, 1975, in West Side United Methodist Church, Clearfield, PA, she married Keith Vallimont who survives. They recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. Most of Ellen’s life was spent devoted to her daughters, Beth Ann Pirnick of DuBois, PA, Jennifer Ellen Vallimont of Weedville, PA, and Jessie Ellen Vallimont of Clearfield, PA. She never accepted anything but their best efforts and she was proud of the independent women that she raised. Despite her best efforts, Jenn and Jessie continue to be extreme procrastinators. Beth cannot keep plants alive and still finds backing up her driveway to be an extreme challenge. Ellen was also a cherished friend and mentor for her grandchildren, Shea, Salina, and Grayson Bona, Weedville, PA, as well as her much loved Emma Thomson, Washington, DC, and Molly Thomson, Fredericksburg, VA.
Ellen was an active member of West Side United Methodist Church for 62 years. She cooked countless fellowship dinners, served as Communion steward for many years being sure that the white cloths were spotless, served on many committees with United Methodist Women, and was honored as Woman of the Year in 2010. She supported the funeral dinners and provided meals for church members in need. She worked closely with her daughter, Beth, and church secretary, Frankie Witherow, as well as other church members, to ensure the success of Angel Food Ministries in Clearfield. Ellen was a member of the Hobby Garden Club where she enjoyed arranging flowers for their annual garden show. She was also a Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and took pride in having beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.
Much of her free time was spent supporting her girls in their activities: not only high school and college marching band, but also a 4-H beef steer project. She was quite a good sport in adapting to whatever her family needed from her (even pushing a wheelbarrow full of manure!). Her talents and hobbies were endless. The highlight of family birthday parties was seeing what creative cakes she would make. From Cookie Monster and Batman character cakes to incorporating fresh flowers and elegant simplicity, she made everyone feel special when they received a cake from her. She made beautiful flower arrangements with flowers from plants she started from seed. She was talented with a sewing machine, and she enjoyed making unique Halloween costumes for all the special kids in her life. She cooked every meal from scratch and included as many home-canned fruits and vegetables in her menu as possible. She excelled at making her house a home for all who entered.
Ellen is survived by three brothers, J. Richard Miller, Jr. (Nancy) of Bradford, PA, John Miller (Sandy) of Aiken, SC, and Dennis Miller (Karen) of Clearfield, PA. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and her cousin and friend, Jeanne Butler, Clearfield, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents, numerous aunts and uncles, and one very special aunt, Jessie Miller Butler.
A celebration of life will be held at West Side United Methodist Church chapel on Friday, May 20, 2022, at 6:30 PM with fellowship and visitation at 5:00 PM.
Memorial contributions can be made to Haven House in DuBois, PA, or West Side United Methodist Church Music Fund in Clearfield, PA.
Arrangements are being managed by Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield.
To leave a note for the family, please visit www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com
Ellen was born on October 21, 1948, in Clearfield, PA. She was the daughter of J. Richard Miller, Sr. and Lucille Merry Miller. She graduated in 1966 from Clearfield Area High School and was a senior class officer. She also graduated from Hagerstown Medical Secretarial School in Hagerstown, MD, in 1967.
Following her education, Ellen worked as a secretary in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Harrisburg, PA. She was the original secretary for the Henry B. Meyer High Rise in Clearfield, PA, and personal secretary for Ray Walker, owner of Bradford Coal, in Bigler, PA.
On May 10, 1975, in West Side United Methodist Church, Clearfield, PA, she married Keith Vallimont who survives. They recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. Most of Ellen’s life was spent devoted to her daughters, Beth Ann Pirnick of DuBois, PA, Jennifer Ellen Vallimont of Weedville, PA, and Jessie Ellen Vallimont of Clearfield, PA. She never accepted anything but their best efforts and she was proud of the independent women that she raised. Despite her best efforts, Jenn and Jessie continue to be extreme procrastinators. Beth cannot keep plants alive and still finds backing up her driveway to be an extreme challenge. Ellen was also a cherished friend and mentor for her grandchildren, Shea, Salina, and Grayson Bona, Weedville, PA, as well as her much loved Emma Thomson, Washington, DC, and Molly Thomson, Fredericksburg, VA.
Ellen was an active member of West Side United Methodist Church for 62 years. She cooked countless fellowship dinners, served as Communion steward for many years being sure that the white cloths were spotless, served on many committees with United Methodist Women, and was honored as Woman of the Year in 2010. She supported the funeral dinners and provided meals for church members in need. She worked closely with her daughter, Beth, and church secretary, Frankie Witherow, as well as other church members, to ensure the success of Angel Food Ministries in Clearfield. Ellen was a member of the Hobby Garden Club where she enjoyed arranging flowers for their annual garden show. She was also a Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and took pride in having beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.
Much of her free time was spent supporting her girls in their activities: not only high school and college marching band, but also a 4-H beef steer project. She was quite a good sport in adapting to whatever her family needed from her (even pushing a wheelbarrow full of manure!). Her talents and hobbies were endless. The highlight of family birthday parties was seeing what creative cakes she would make. From Cookie Monster and Batman character cakes to incorporating fresh flowers and elegant simplicity, she made everyone feel special when they received a cake from her. She made beautiful flower arrangements with flowers from plants she started from seed. She was talented with a sewing machine, and she enjoyed making unique Halloween costumes for all the special kids in her life. She cooked every meal from scratch and included as many home-canned fruits and vegetables in her menu as possible. She excelled at making her house a home for all who entered.
Ellen is survived by three brothers, J. Richard Miller, Jr. (Nancy) of Bradford, PA, John Miller (Sandy) of Aiken, SC, and Dennis Miller (Karen) of Clearfield, PA. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and her cousin and friend, Jeanne Butler, Clearfield, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents, numerous aunts and uncles, and one very special aunt, Jessie Miller Butler.
A celebration of life will be held at West Side United Methodist Church chapel on Friday, May 20, 2022, at 6:30 PM with fellowship and visitation at 5:00 PM.
Memorial contributions can be made to Haven House in DuBois, PA, or West Side United Methodist Church Music Fund in Clearfield, PA.
Arrangements are being managed by Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield.
To leave a note for the family, please visit www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com