Leon Miller

There are so many things that made Leon Miller such a remarkable man, but it is easy to see that everything he did was tinged with his kind and generous spirit. Leon had a heart that was as endless as the sky is blue as it encompassed not only his family and friends, but also countless others who were within reach. He was a devoted family man who raised 13 children alongside his high school sweetheart for many years. Leon was a strong willed, opinionated Democrat who loved to laugh at himself and always supported the underdog. He leaves behind lessons in strength, hard work, and compassion that will live on in the hearts and lives of those who follow in his footsteps.

With the dawn of the thirties, America was struggling under the pressures of the Great Depression that would continue to clutch our nation throughout the entire decade and beyond. Countless people lost their jobs, their homes, and even their dreams for the future. It was during this unprecedented time that Ferdinand and Rose (Heiler) Miller welcomed the birth of their son, Leon, on May 22, 1930. Born in Fowler, Michigan, Leon was the fifth of six children in his family. His father worked as a farmer while his mother was busy caring for the family and household needs. When Leon was still quite young, his family moved to St. Johns where he would remain throughout the rest of his life. He attended a one-room schoolhouse on Price Road and then went on to Rodney B. Wilson High School. Leon and his siblings were dealt a devastating blow when they lost both their mother and father within the same year when Leon was 14. The Miller children were then cared for by Leon’s older sister.

Life was forever changed for Leon as a high school student when he met the young girl with whom he would create the family he treasured. Her name was Joan and after falling deeply in love, the couple married. It was also as a young man that Leon joined the Army. While in the service, Leon was a cook and he served from 1952 until he was discharged after contracting hepatitis.

Not long after becoming a husband, Leon and Joan were blessed with their first of 13 wonderful children whom they raised in a home with only one bathroom! As a father Leon was a strict disciplinarian, but his loving discipline helped shape his children into thriving adults. He also instilled within his children a strong work ethic by the example he put forth. Leon was a fantastic provider who worked in skilled trades at General Motors. His hard work continued on the farm that was originally called “JimBoDave Farms” after his oldest boys, but later became “Miller Farms.” Leon loved his cattle and was a skilled breeder of a variety of breeds, particularly Reds and Whites. He worked hard in whatever he did and according to Leon, there were always “chores to be done.”

Although his work kept Leon very busy, his family was always first and foremost in his life. All of his kids had nicknames including boy names for the girls and no matter who dated his daughters, they were always “tomcats.” Some of the most memorable times the Miller family shared were spent on family road trips. Leon loved taking his family on road trips including to Florida, Texas, Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Coldwater Lake. His love for road trips extended to a group from church. On one such occasion, Leon led a group from church to an amusement park. This trip took a bit longer than expected when a wrong turn took them hundreds of miles out of the way! There were quirky traditions in the Miller family as well including watermelon only on the Fourth of July and pizza and pop only on New Year’s Eve. With such a large family to transport, a motor home served as their family car. Leon was deeply saddened with the death of Joan in 1996.

Leon’s love for others also extended towards many others as he took good care of people, especially those who are less fortunate. He always fed his farm workers and took food to a man who lived in a barn with no electricity every Thanksgiving. Leon was also a passionate animal lover, especially of cats and dogs including his special cat, Kit Kat. Near the end of his life he even took a liking to feeding skunks out back. Just before he died, Leon’s heart warmed watching a skunk eat the food he left out for it.

Through the years, Leon was a man of many interests. His church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, was a vital part of his life. When his family grew to include grandchildren, Leon was overjoyed and spending whatever time he could with them quickly became one of his favorite activities. The cooking skills he acquired in the Army were put to good use as Leon was a great cook. His grandchildren especially loved his chicken and noodles and his roast beef. Leon loved playing euchre and watching old television shows like Gunsmoke and various detective shows, too. He loved his tea and was rarely able to turn down orange slices or circus peanut candies. Leon was a die-hard St. Johns Redwings fan and a member of the Red and White Dairy Cattle Association, the MMPA, the Holstein Association, and the former Grand Knight of his Knights of Columbus. The good times were always plentiful when Leon hung out with his close group of friends, “the gang.”

Life took a fateful turn for Leon when he met Phyllis McIntyre at a shuffleboard tournament in Zephyrhills, Florida. They had their first official date in January and were married in April of 1998. Leon and Phyllis were a good pair, and she became his memory.

Although Leon Miller will be dearly missed, he made a significant impact on the lives of so many around him. He was kind-hearted, fun-loving, and as generous as they come. Nothing brought Leon more joy than spending time with the family who will carry on his unmatched legacy.

Leon F. Miller died July 26, 2010. Leon’s family includes his wife, Phyllis; his, daughters, Marcia (Randy) Wing, Kathy (Lee) Shannon, Marilyn (Lane) Mally, Janet Miller, Jane (Todd Shellberg) Miller, Marybeth (Tony) Birchmeier, Leanne (Curt) LaLone, Bonnie (Bob) Turner, Nancy (Mike) McGuire, Janice (Jim) Woodworth; sons, Jim (Jamie) Miller, Robert (Carol) Miller, David (Ida) Miller, Alan (Kevin Hurd) Miller, Douglas (Jessica) Miller, Mark (Melissa) Miller; special cat, Kit Kat; forty-six grandkids; many great-grandkids; sister, Rita Cuthbert; and many nieces and nephews. Leon was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joan Miller; son, Russell Miller; brothers, John Faivor, Tom Faivor, Charles Faivor, and Joe Miller. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Eoin Murphy officiating. Burial to follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends, Wednesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial donation to the charity of your choice.