MARTHA HELEN (MILLER) CHIPLEY, age 94, of Troy, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2017.  Martha was born August 26, 1923 at the family farm in Springcreek Twp., Miami County to the late George Ellis Miller, Sr. and Helen Virginia (Zile) Miller.  She married Albert Carl Chipley on June 28, 1946.  Martha and Carl were married 49 years until Carl’s death on May 28, 1995.

Martha is survived by three daughters and 2 sons-in-law: Michele Kruger, Newark, OH, Patricia (Craig) Newman, Newark, DE and Bonita (Vincent) Miller, Huber Heights, OH; 8 grandchildren: Erik (Elaine) Wright, Powell, OH, Joshua Wright, Newark, OH, Christine (William) Colwell, Stephens City, VA, Angela Vance, Dayton, OH, Sandra (Joe) Crozier, Newark, OH, Kimberly (Jason) Smith, Wilmington, DE, Sara Miller, Grove City, OH and Ryan Kruger, Newark, OH; 8 great granddaughters: Carissa and Kaylee Vance, Kianna and Kendra Crozier, Bridget and Natalie Colwell and Lillian and Charlotte Smith; her sister: Mary Kessler, Jacksonville, FL; two nephews: Donald Peters, Atlantic Beach, FL and David Peters, Medina, OH; and niece: Sheila More, St. Mary’s GA.  In addition to her parents and husband, Martha was preceded in death by brother: George Ellis Miller, Jr.; nieces: Karen Miller; and 2 sons-in-law: Richard D. Wright and Roy Kruger.

Martha graduated from Staunton High School as Valedictorian in 1941 and from Miami-Jacobs College in 1943.  She was employed at Frigidaire, Dayton, as a private secretary.  Martha was a homemaker and community volunteer all her life.  She dearly loved her family, friends, home and community.  She enjoyed having all her family and friends gather at her home for celebrations and holidays.  When her husband, Carl, designed and built a new home in 1960, she was very happy to have more room for the growing family and friends. Even after the death of her husband, Carl, in 1995, she continued the tradition of family gatherings at her home.  She loved to decorate her beautiful home and took great joy in sharing with family and friends.  She was so very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Martha devoted her life to her family, friends and community.

Martha felt a deep responsibility to community service all her life.  She shared her organizational skills, keen memory and creativity with others as a community volunteer in her daughters’ school, the Girl Scouts and the American Cancer Society.

Martha was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and a parent volunteer at St. Patrick Elementary School when her daughters attended the school.  In 1960, she was president of St. Patrick Mother’s Club.  Martha became a Brownie Girl Scout Leader in 1955 and continued as a Girl Scout leader for over 16 years.  She was a member of the Green Valley G. S. Council Board, serving as President from 1966-1968.  Martha also served on the Buckeye Trails G. S. Council Board for many years.  In 2004, she was honored for her 40 years of volunteer service to the Girl Scouts with the 2004 Buckeye Trails G. S. Council Hall of Fame Award.

Martha served on the American Cancer Society Miami County Board for over 18 years.  She was the Crusade Chairman 1981-84.  She was a “Reach to Recovery” trained volunteer giving support to breast cancer patients in Miami County for over 36 years.  Martha received the Troy Chamber of Commerce Award July 1984 for her volunteer service to the Cancer Crusade and to breast cancer patients.  Martha was a member of Miami County Democratic Women, serving as Treasurer and Membership Chairman.  She was also a member of Troy Senior Citizens and Classic Ladies Lunch Group.  She was an avid Ohio State University football fan and loved to watch the OSU games on television loudly cheering for her Buckeye team.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 10, 2017 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Troy with Rev. Fr. Michael Samala officiating.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Troy.  Friend may call from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday at Baird Funeral Home in Troy.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County, P. O. Box 502, Troy, OH 45373 or American Heart Association, 24 N. Jefferson Street, Dayton, OH 45402 or American Cancer Society, 2808 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206 or St. Patrick Catholic Church, 409 E. Main Street, Troy, OH 45373.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.

 Service Information