Rosemary C. Eller

Rosemary (Cook) Eller of Bethel Park, formerly of Hotchkiss/Slab Fork West Virginia departed this life on Friday, July 22, 2022 at the age of 76 after what she described as a "fantastic" trip. Rosemary was one of five children of the late James L. Cook, a Coal Miner for Slab Fork Coal Company and her mother, the late Thelma Foster. Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband Ken Eller & their infant son (Kenneth Jr.). She is survived by her brother, John Cook (Nancy) of Beckley WV, sister(s) Betty Osborne (Dale) of Crab Orchard, WV Vickie (Renie) White of Lynchburg, VA, and half brother James Moran (Carol) of Blue Jay WV. From her birthplace in Hotchkiss, WV, she graduated from Sophia High School in Sophia, WV and attended classes at Beckley College (now Mountain State University).

Rosemary met her late husband, of 57 years (and 43+ years business partner) when they were both students at Slab Fork Elementary School. The two, then youngsters, fell in love and were married in 1962 at ages 16 and 18. After Ken's three year tour in the US Army, and later as an underground Coal Miner for the Slab Fork Coal Company, while living in a Company House, they became the proud parents of Kenna Marie Altmeyer (Chris) residing in Bethel Park and later Jennifer Nicole Westerman (John) residing in South Park. She was an extremely proud grandparent of four grandsons Carter Lockwood (27), Colin Lockwood (24), Hunter Altmeyer (19), and Raymond Altmeyer (17).

Rosemary always knew that working outside her home was an integral part of her life. As a child, while a student, she worked in her Grandparents' small all­ purpose Store in Hotchkiss. While Ken was away in the Army, she worked in a small family Drug Store, Beckley Mfg, EM Payne Department Store, the Miner's Hospital in Beckley, and the Oak Hill Hospital in Oak Hill, WV. During Ken's 4½ years of night classes to earn his BS Degree, Rosemary was an equal partner working alongside Ken in every class. (She should have been named on the Degree as an equal Student/Graduate.)

During their business career they spent 3 years in southern Illinois with Consol Coal before relocating to Bethel Park, PA where they raised Kenna and Jennifer. Rosemary and Ken wrote a Business Plan in 1982 to become self-employed. Rosemary began to work full time helping to build a database as a part of the Business Plan that would be implemented within two years. Ken took an early retirement at age 41 from CONSOL in 1985, and he and Rosemary continued in self­ employment for the next 43 years. Rosemary and Ken were business partners of equal standing for the balance of their careers. They are proud to be known throughout the Coal Mining Industry as a result of their services through the "Coal Arbitration Library System" "CALS", which, after development, became "Rosemary's Baby". While Ken (and Associates) provided consulting services throughout the United States, Rosemary was the "glue" that held their business together and kept things running like a well-tuned clock.

Rosemary and Ken were 40+ year members of"John MacMillan Presbyterian Church" in Bethel Park, PA, where Kenna and Jenny gained important roots for raising their sons. They were also 25+year members of the Rolling Hills Country Club, and more recently were members of the St. Clair Country Club in Upper St. Clair, PA.

Unfortunately Rosemary has had to fight bravely with stage IV, metastatic breast cancer since 2011, much like Ken who fought stages III metastatic melanoma before his passing 2020.

A "Celebration of Rosemary's Life" will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to John McMillan Presbyterian Church, Shriners Children Hospital or St. Jude's Children Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosemary C. Eller, please visit our floral store.