Jack Miller

Outgoing and upbeat, Jack Miller usually kept the mood light with his great sense of humor and his sharp, sarcastic wit. At the same time, however, he was a hard worker and dedicated provider, who showed his family how much he cared about them through his actions. Jack’s family meant everything to him, and through his own example he taught his children and grandchildren the importance of hard work, family, and laughter. He was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed

Jack Vernon Miller was born in the latter half of the Roaring Twenties, during the year of Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo transatlantic flight, the beginning of work on Mount Rushmore, and the opening of the Jazz Singer, the first feature-length “talkie.” His proud parents, Clare and Elsie Pearl (Moffat) Miller, welcomed the youngest member of their family into the world on August 15, 1927. The Miller family lived in Wacousta, Michigan, where Jack grew up with his older siblings Violet and Ronald on the family farm. Ronald made good use of having a younger brother: when he did something he shouldn’t, he always blamed Jack! Despite these early frame-ups, Jack and Ronald were very close.

When the time came for Jack to go to school, he attended classes first in rural Wacousta and later at Ovid High School. Although Jack wasn’t that excited about school, he went because it was expected, and because he enjoyed seeing his friends. At home, Jack was always working on the farm, milking the cows and doing various chores. Even from a young age, Jack was a hard worker, and proved that he had the ability to eventually run his own farm.

As a young man, Jack served his country courageously in the United States Army. Back in the states, in 1957 he met a young lady named Marilyn Ordway through mutual friends. Jack and Marilyn started dating, and over the next two years gradually fell in love. They were married in Ovid on January 17, 1959, beginning a loving and committed relationship that would endure for more than fifty years.

In the years to come, Jack and Marilyn were blessed with three children: Sue, Donald, and Jack Jr. Jack supported his family as a farmer, his lifelong occupation. Not one to show affection easily, Jack instead showed his kids he loved them through his actions. He dedicated himself to providing for his loved ones, and took great pride in being a hard worker and a good provider. When he had the opportunity, Jack enjoyed going hunting. He took Marilyn with him once, and only once (he said she talked too much). Jack was also a fan of old Westerns, and enjoyed learning about history – he seemed to know a little about just about everything! Jack enjoyed watching MSU basketball and football and was also a supporter of Michigan unless they were playing MSU.

After their children grew up and started families of their own, Marilyn and Jack became homebodies. They enjoyed being grandparents, and Jack mellowed with age to become more affectionate with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the past few years, Jack has struggled with health issues. No matter how he was feeling, however, Jack never lost his upbeat attitude and sense of humor. He loved being around people, and his door was always open to friends and family.

Outgoing, humorous, and hardworking, Jack was a devoted husband, a proud father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Mr. Jack Vernon Miller died on February 8, 2013, at the age of 85. Jack’s family includes his wife, Marilyn; his children, Sue (Don) Strait of DeWitt, Donald (Billie Canfield) Miller of Ovid, and Jack (Moji) Miller, Jr. of DeWitt; his grandchildren, Steven (Jessica Cole) Miller, Matthew Strait, and McKayla, Kathleen, Cameron, and Evan Miller; his great-grandchildren, Renin Cole and Rebecca Miller; his brother, Ronald (Mary) Miller; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister and brother-in-law, Violet and John Curtis.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, at Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak Street, Ovid, MI. Jack’s family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, 1169 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. The family is being served by Osgood Funeral Homes. Please visit Jack’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/87268, where you can learn more about his life, view his Life Story film, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.