INDYSTAR: Ellen Marie Miller, 67, of 310 N Highland St., Indianapolis, died July 24, 2025 of complications from pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family when she passed.

Ellen was born June 12, 1958, in Indianapolis, the daughter of William (Bill) and Alice (Greene) Bugher of Indianapolis, who preceded her in death.

She was a profoundly genuine person with a lively spirit, a great sense of humor, and a trusted friend and mentor. As a dedicated participant and leader in 12-step groups for many years, she was a sponsor for many people.

Ellen was born June 12, 1958, in Indianapolis. She attended elementary school at St Jude Catholic Church of South Bend, IN, graduated Northwest High School in Indianapolis in 1976, and was a graduate of the journalism program at Butler University. She began her journalism career as a reporter at the Elkhart Truth in Elkhart, IN, then moved to the Fort Wayne News Sentinel of Fort Wayne, IN, where she worked as a reporter and then copy editor. She later was employed at the Indianapolis News and Indianapolis Star as a copy editor, an editor of the Features Section and wrote the popular column Balancing Act for the Star.

After leaving the Star she was a homemaker for several years, then worked as an executive writer at Angie’s List and One America in Indianapolis.

Survivors include husband Harold Miller of Indianapolis and children Grace Miller of Indianapolis and Sammy Miller of Bloomington, IN; twin sister Mary Valdez (Don), of Austin, TX; Robert Bugher (Jan) of Indianapolis; Janet Smith (Darrell) of Indianapolis; Daniel Bugher (Randee) of Newburg, IN; David Bugher (Matthew) of Oberlin, OH; Stephen Bugher (Patty) of Lebanon, OH; Thomas Bugher (Sheri) of Franklin, OH; Susan Marvin (Brian) of Mt. Vernon, OH, and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday Aug. 2 at the Indianapolis First Friends Church, 3030 Kessler Blvd E Dr, Indianapolis.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancan.org.