Ella Ruth Miller

Ella Ruth Miller of New Holland passed away on April 15 at Garden Spot Village at the age of 91 years. Born on April 10, 1923, she was the eldest daughter of Ruth Eaby Brown and John [Bender] Brown of New Holland. Ella was the widow of Russell H. Miller, a mechanic employed by the New Holland Machine Company. She was preceded in death by her son, Russell H. Miller, Jr., and by her sister, the former Gladys Mae Brown, wife of Willis L. Shirk of New Holland. She is survived by two nephews; Willis L. Shirk, Jr., of Lancaster, husband of Sandra J. Strunk and Alexander M. Shirk of New Holland, husband of Beverley Sentman Shirk. She is also survived by two grandnephews.; Mark Shirk, husband of Fiona Shirk, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Craig Shirk of New Holland..

A graduate of New Holland High School, Ella was employed for many years by Frank Ix and Sons of New Holland and later by the Blue Ball Bank where her accounting skills were greatly valued. Both she and her son enjoyed collecting antiques and dining out. An avid gardener and art collector, Ella also enjoyed painting watercolors in her youth and once considered enrolling in the fine arts program at Kutztown State Normal School. She and her sister Gladys shared a love of both art and antiques that enlivened family holiday celebrations. After her retirement from Blue Ball Bank, Ella volunteered at the Re-Uzit Shop in New Holland for a number of years. Earlier in her life, Ella traveled frequently with her son through New Mexico, New York, and in Germany. In recent decades, Ella also frequently accompanied her niece, Sandra J. Strunk, on trips to California, New Mexico, and New York where they enjoyed fine dining and shopping for clothes, art, and jewelry. Ella had resided at Garden Spot Village for nearly a year.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Groff-High Funeral Home, 145 W. Main St., New Holland with Chaplain Chester Yoder officiating. Interment will be in Zeltenreich Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 1 – 2 p.m. Online condolences may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.