Obituary of Nancy J. Miller , 75

Nancy J. Miller, 75, of State College, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center in College Township.

Born on January 16, 1936, in Robinson, IL, she was a daughter of the late Emory and Alice (Biggs) Johns.

On June 16, 1956 in Palestine, IL, she was married to Joe A. Miller, who survives at home.

Mrs. Miller was a 1954 graduate of Palestine, IL High School and a 1958 graduate of Butler University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.

Nancy taught high school English in Monrovia and Woodburn, Indiana, and in Mason and Chelsea, Michigan. After moving with her husband to State College in 1971, she also taught English at South Hills Business School. More recently, she worked part-time in conducting computerized data-base searches for an ongoing project.

She was a co-founder of Centre County PAWS, Inc. In its formative years, she helped administer the organization and she specialized in cat adoptions and foster care. Nancy was instrumental in the development and construction of the first PAWS facility, built on land donated by the Metzger Animal Hospital. Her ongoing concern for animal welfare was well recognized and respected, and she continued this commitment until her death.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a sister, Kathy L. Witcher and Kathy’s stepson, Scott Witcher, of Loveland, CO. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Martha (Marti) Miller and brother-in-law, Jack R. Miller of Fort Myers, FL; and a sister-in law, Patsy R. Miller of Bloomington, IN. She is also survived by her first cousins, Dr. Diane Thompson, Yvonne Climer, Betty L. Godert, Robert Johns, Stephen Johns, Lynne Drescher, Alice Deffenbaugh, Richard Seaney, and Margaret DeMent.

In accordance with Nancy’s wishes, all services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Nancy’s memory to Centre County PAWS, 1401 Trout Road, State College, PA 16801; or to any animal welfare organization of the donor’s choosing.

Sentiments may be expressed by emailing her husband at [email protected] or by signing an online guest book at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.

The Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College, has care of the arrangements.