Troy Miller

With his vivacious and carefree spirit, Troy Miller truly embraced each moment he was given, creating a brilliant symphony filled with harmonies that complemented the everyday melody of life. He was a natural leader who wholeheartedly applied himself to everything that lay before him. When Troy loved, he loved deeply, and he took every opportunity to spend time with the nieces and nephews he treasured. With a passion for cycling, Troy rode thousands of miles every year, and it was while doing what he loved that he was taken from those who loved him much too soon.

The decade of the sixties was filled with growing pains as America was struggling to find its way. Known as the age of youth, the sixties saw the civil rights movement soar to new heights and although it began peacefully during the early sixties with Martin Luther King, Jr. leading peaceful protests and sit-ins, riots became more commonplace by the mid-sixties. It was amidst this colorful time that a young family from Fowler, Michigan, was preparing for the birth of their second baby. Their wait was over on December 11, 1962, when baby Troy arrived in St. Johns. He was welcomed into the arms of his parents, LaVern and Lynne (Rahl) Miller, and was joined in his family by two sisters, Amanda and Jennifer, and two brothers, Todd and Eric.

From the moment he was born Troy had the world by its tail and never slowed down. Because he rode his rocking horse at all hours of the night waking the entire family, his parents had to hide his horse to keep the peace. Troy was always very talkative but since he had his own way of speaking, his sister, Amanda, was often his translator who allowed him to be understood. He was mischievous and a bit rambunctious, yet at the same time he was always respectful of his elders. Troy was always outside playing with the neighborhood kids running through the woods, riding bikes, or doing any other thing that young boys typically do. He established himself as a prankster who liked to have fun whenever possible. Troy’s house was usually the place that all the neighborhood kids liked to hang out at as he was well liked and was always a natural leader rather than a follower.

Troy’s education began at Most Holy Trinity School and although he was never really into the academics, he did enjoy the social aspect of school. He proved to be an athlete at a young age and showed a particular interest in baseball. Troy pitched and played shortstop when he was involved in Little League. He loved the thrill of competing and always strived to win. Troy grew to love the outdoors and by the time he was a student at Fowler High School, he began bowhunting. He also began racing canoes with the Michigan Canoe Racing Organization.

As a young man in his twenties, Troy became an avid cyclist and this would become his greatest passion. His accomplishments in the sport were numerous, but the true reward was found in the thrill of the ride. Troy proudly took part in three transcontinental tours including one in 1996 from Everett, Washington to Williamsburg, Virginia, that boasted of 3400 miles in just 24 days. Two years later he completed the Bicycle Expeditions Across America consisting of 2776 miles. Finally in 2002 Troy was part of the Southern Transcontinental, another cross country trip. He competed in 16 DALMAC (Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw) events in a row and planned on competing in his 17th this year, beginning on the 31st of this month.

Throughout his life Troy remained active and always on the go. He spent 12 years working as a custodian alongside his father at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Although he never had any children of his own, Troy was an incredibly devoted uncle who loved being an important piece in the lives of his nieces and nephews. When enjoying some down time at home, Troy was an avid reader throughout his adult years.

As his friends and loved ones can attest, there was so much to love about Troy. He was overly generous - the sort of guy who would do anything for anyone. Troy was both outgoing and friendly and when combined with his warm demeanor, he could talk to anyone with ease. His faith was a vital part of his life and something that was always of the utmost importance to him.

When reflecting on the life of Troy Miller we are reminded that each day is a gift for us to unwrap and that it is up to us to decide how we will spend each moment. He was someone who cherished each day he was given and lived every breath with vigor. Troy had a childlike innocence throughout his life that he never outgrew, which made him so much fun to be with. A true gift given to us for such a short time, Troy will be deeply missed.

Troy L. Miller died August 27, 2011. Troy is survived by his parents, LaVern and Lynne; sisters, Amanda (Ed) Miller Drown and Jennifer (Dan) Hufnagel; brothers, Todd (Sue) Miller and Eric Miller; nieces, Danielle Hufnagel; great-niece, Ava Hufnagel; nephews, Scott and Jeremy Miller and Andy and Jason Hufnagel. Troy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Vernon and Leona Miller and Merlyn and Genevieve Rahl. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Wed., August, 31, 2011, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m., Tues., at the Goerge Chapel in Fowler with a Rosary being prayed at 4 p.m. To learn more about Troy and view his Life Story film, visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/73183. Contributions may be made in Troy’s name to the Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund. The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Homes.