Helen V. Miller

HELEN VIOLA (HERB) MILLER, a native of Hegins, PA passed away peacefully at the Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA on her 95th birthday, Saturday, November 9, 2013. Her last few months of life were complicated by lung and heart failure, but she was blessed by physicians, nurses and staff who cared for her so lovingly. Helen was an inspiration to her family and friends and she was loved by many. Born in 1918 to the late Harry M. and Dora E. (Fisher Herb two days before the end of WWI, Helen spent most of her formative years in Reading, PA. Upon returning to Hegins in her early twenties, she met Franklin Miller, Sr., whom she married in Frieden’s Lutheran Church, Hegins, in December 1939. While her husband worked in the coal industry as a heavy equipment operator during WWII, she was a homemaker and then later worked at Twin Valley Farmers Exchange, Hegins, and Amy’s Sportswear, Valley View, PA. She was very pleased when she and Frank built their home in 1949, located one mile north of Hegins, adjacent to the Charles Miller homestead. Helen was devoted to her children’s well-being and their education, encouraging them to do well in school and to participate in extracurricular activities. Following the passing of her husband in 1979, after 40 years of marriage, Helen continued to live in her home where she enjoyed cooking, baking, reading and cross-stitching quilt tops. She cherished the regular visits and phone calls from relatives and friends. A cousin, Ralph Wetzel, Hegins, was especially dedicated to assisting her when she could no longer travel easily and maintain her home. Helen was noted for her incredible memory and no birthday or anniversary of a family member was forgotten by her. She also had an amazing wealth of knowledge about the ancestries of many of the people in the Hegins Valley. Helen is survived by two children: a son, Dr. Franklin (Bonnie Leitzel) Miller, Jr., Salt Lake City, UT; and a daughter, Sandra (Dr. Ronald) Shubert, Elizabethtown; five grandchildren: Valerie (Norman) Kohls, Poway, CA; Kim Miller, Scarsdale, NY; Alex (Stephanie) Shubert, Elizabethtown; Erika (Scott) Liska, Seattle, WA; Dr. Johanna (Nathan) Kalons, Charlotte, NC; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Spatz of Reading; several sisters-inlaw and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Leroy Herb, Sr. and Glenn Herb. A Memorial Service to celebrate Helen’s life was held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 5 PM at her home church, Frieden’s Lutheran Church, 510 Main St, Hegins, PA 17938, with Rev. Warren Egebo officiating. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, was in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Frieden’s Lutheran Church (address above) or Masonic Village Hospice, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com

Helen V. Miller

January 1, 1753 - November 9, 2013