Ellen J. Hilliard, 71, of Petrolia, Washington Township, passed away early Tuesday morning at Butler Memorial Hospital following an illness.

Born in Eau Claire, Oct. 22, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Fleck Nail and Ruth Adell Boyle Nail.

She married Robert Jamison Hilliard, Aug 10, 1962.

Ellen was a nurse's aide for Hillcrest Medical Center and for Autumn Grove for years.

In addition to her husband, Robert "Bob" Jamison Hilliard, she is survived by four daughters, Susan Lee Overly (Garry) of Petrolia, Melody M. Wise (David) of Butler, Kelly Jo Switzer (Timmie) of Petrolia and Tammy Lynn Hilliard, also of Petrolia; three sons, Mark Allen (Tammy) of South Carolina, Patrick Jamison Hilliard of Cowansville and Michael Edward Hilliard (Angie) of Boyers; two sisters, Martha Dell McCracken of Virginia and Dorothy Ruth Parsons of Emlenton; two brothers, Ralph Fleck Nail of Eau Claire and I. Samuel Nail, also of Eau Claire; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

<B>HILLIARD</B> — Arrangements for Ellen J. Hilliard, who died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, were made at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home </B>in Eau Claire. Following the wishes of the family, private services were requested.Online condolences may be viewed/sent at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.