Ellen B. Childs

Ellen B. Childs, 94, of Franklin and formerly of Meadville, died Monday, January 7, 2013 at The Caring Place, Franklin, where she had been a resident for the past 2½ years.

She was born December 6, 1918 in McKeesport, PA a daughter of Gustave and Lida Smith Broms.  She married Ivan L. Childs February 5, 1949 and he preceded her in death August 23, 1963.

Her family moved to Venango County in the 1920’s for farming when she was quite young and she grew up on the family farm with her older brothers.  In 1943 she got a job at Talon Inc. in Meadville and worked there for 10 years.  In 1954 she and her husband moved to Vero Beach, FL where they built their home.  After her husband died in 1963 she returned to the area and took care of her mother.  During this time she also attended cosmetology school in Sharon, PA.  After graduating she worked for Anna Mae Walls’ Beauty Salon before opening her own Beauty Salon at 616 N. Main Street in Meadville, which she operated from 1973-1988.

She was very active at the Meadville Alliance Church and was always known for her very sweet, nice but determined demeanor.

She is survived by six nieces and nephews, Willard Broms and his wife Phyllis of Leonardtown, MD, Charles H. Broms and his wife Karen of Cary, NC, Marjorie Broms Waddell and her husband Charles of Asheville, NC, David Broms and his wife Susan of Wexford, PA, Charles W. Broms and his wife Fran of Lutz, FL and Patricia Broms Powell and her husband William of Utica, PA; numerous great nieces and great nephews and a foster daughter, Pat Jackson of Vero Beach, FL.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Willard L. Broms, David Bainerd Broms, Edward J. Broms and Charles Howard Broms.

Calling hour will be Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.  The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Jeff Conley, Pastor of Meadville Alliance Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Meadville Alliance Church, 660 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net