Ellen Garner, a 2010 Tippecanoe High School graduate, died Monday at UC Medical Center following her injury in a New Year’s Day fire near the University of Cincinnati.

Ellen was the daughter of Rod and Ann Garner and a fashion design student at UC.

She and Chad Kohls, 21, of Centerville, had to be rescued from the third floor of a house in the University Heights area near the UC campus. Cincinnati fire officials said the fire was started in a second floor bedroom by a space heater too close to bedding.

Chad Kohls died Jan. 7, also at UC Medical Center.

“We are saddened to hear of the loss of Ellen. She was such a great young lady! Our thoughts go out to the Garner family,” John Kronour, superintendent of the Tipp City schools, said Monday.

A fund has been set up in Ellen's name at Tipp City United Methodist Church. Checks can be made out to TCUMC and marked for Ellen Garner. The church address is 8 W Main St., Tipp City, OH 45371.

In addition to her parents, Ellen is survived by a brother, 2nd Lt. Ben Garner, with the Air Force in Oklahoma; her grandparents; aunts; uncles, cousins; and other relatives and friends.

Ellen had a passion for sewing and had just returned from New York City, where she worked as a co-op student for Garan, Inc. She was a member of Kappa, Kappa Gamma Sorority.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, Main Campus, with Pastor Bonita Wood officiating. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the church. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Tipp City United Methodist Church special fund.

2010 Photo of Ellen Courtesy of Sharon Elaine Photography