Jo Ellen Miller of Valrico, Florida, was called to her heavenly home on June 29, 2025, at the age of 79.
Jo Ellen, daughter of Helen (Bauer) and Joesph Orbanac, was born September 3, 1945, in Elmira, New York. Her childhood was spent in Elmira and Buffalo, New York. She had three predeceased sisters, Dolores Kauffman, Nancy Brimmer, and Susan Forand. She is survived by her loving brother, Anthony Orbanac.
On August 6, 1963, Jo Ellen went on a miniature golf date with Richard Charles Miller, a science and advanced math teacher, of Ithaca, New York. Exactly one year later they were engaged, and two years to the day, they were married on August 6, 1965.
Since her junior year of high school, Jo Ellen knew she wanted to be a nurse. After graduating from South Side High School she attended Corning Community College. Before the age of twenty she was working full time as a nurse at Chestnut Hill Hospital, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while her husband attended Westminster Theological Seminary.
Jo Ellen and Richard moved many times over their lives, making lifelong friends along the way. While living in New Jersey, they had two children, Heather and Joel. The family moved to Novato, California in 1974 where their third child, Sarah, was born.
During this time, Jo Ellen worked for Kaiser Permanente in San Rafael and later Oakland. Over her forty year nursing career, Jo Ellen worked in medical, surgical, pediatric, intensive-care, and enterostomal therapy nursing. She retired from nursing in 2005, and Jo Ellen and Richard moved to Sumter, South Carolina in 2006 to be closer to Heather, her husband, Doug House, and their granddaughter Justine.
The move and retirement allowed Jo Ellen time to experience new things. She loved being Grandma. She volunteered at Justine’s school library and enjoyed working with all the children. She also discovered a passion for gardening and became a Master Gardener. Her sewing machine collection grew and she was always working on a project. Back in California, two grandchildren were born, Hudson and Maxyne Miller. She always looked forward to visiting them.
Jo Ellen and Richard moved for the last time to Valrico, Florida. She joined a wonderful church and immediately found ways to serve. She was active in the church choir, served on the women’s council, taught women’s Bible studies, and volunteered every Monday at Meals on Wheels.
Jo Ellen found joy in caring for others, whether they were patients, family, or friends. She had a servant’s heart and demonstrated Christ’s love through her daily life. She wrote, “The real thing that has sustained me throughout my life and has given me strength is my relationship with Jesus Christ. God gives you all the strength necessary for any given task or trial. I don’t pretend to understand all that I see or all that happens, but I am content to know that God who is infinite in wisdom and rich in mercy is in full control.”
A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 402 E. Lumsden Rd in Brandon, Florida on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
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Memorial Service
11
Jul
402 East Lumsden Road
Brandon, FL 33511
