Ann Elizabeth Sellers

Ann Elizabeth Sellers passed away peacefully May 31 after a life dedicated to her family. She was 90. Born in Muncy, Pa., to Grover and Grace (Hall) Burkhart, she grew up on the family farm, where she acquired a love of animals and nature and a belief in hard work and caring for family. After graduating from Hughesville High School, she moved to South Bend, Ind., to live with her uncle’s family. She worked as a secretary at Ball Band Corp. (Uniroyal) in Mishawaka, where she met a dashing young executive who swept her off her feet. She and John R. Sellers wed in 1954. His 35-year career with Uniroyal took them to Philadelphia, Madison, Wis., and back to South Bend, before his final assignment in Milan, Italy, from 1979-85. They spent those years making memories around the world–seeing Rudolf Nureyev dance at La Scala and riding camels in Egypt–before retiring to Charlottesville, Va. Her beloved John died in September 2017, shortly after they moved back to South Bend. A natural athlete and ace softball pitcher, Ann cheered for the Yankees and the Phillies, and enjoyed college football, rooting for Penn State, Notre Dame, the University of Virginia, and her husband’s beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. She was active in her children’s school PTAs, the Benvenuti Club in Milan, and the Earlysville, Va., Garden Club. Ann was also a lover of music, cats–especially orange ones–wildflowers, and wild birds. She was the loving mother of Kim Sellers of Ludington, Mich.; Gay Walasinski of Elkhart, Ind.; and Jan Ashton (Robin) of Evanston, Ill. She adored her seven grandchildren, Ian Axelberg, Christy Howell, Carly Ullery, Alison Dzerdinski, Daniel Ashton, Emma Ashton Feldman, and Samuel Ashton; and her nine great-grandchildren, Evan, Avery, Easton, Murphy, Emmitt, Dylan, Harper, James, and Evan. She was a loving older sister to Mary Fluman of Dover, Del., Alice Faus of Hughesville, Pa., and Paul Burkhart, Muncy. Services will be held at the Huntersville (Pa.) United Methodist Church in August. Palmer Funeral Home – River Park Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.