Rev. L. Byron Miller, 105, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away at 4:45 a.m. on February 5, 2020 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester. One of Melvin F. and Nettie Edith (Tully) Miller’s seven children, Byron was born on February 16, 1914 in Kosciusko County near Sidney, Indiana.
A graduate of Sidney High School’s class of 1932, Byron went on to attend Bible Training School at Bethany Seminary from 1941-1943. He then graduated from Manchester College in 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science. He later graduated from Bethany Seminary in 1949. Byron served in the Church of the Brethren for fifty-two years before retiring. He first served the South Whitley Church of the Brethren from 1944-1948 and later the Painter Creek and Red River Churches in Greenville, OH for 9 years, Nettle Creek Church of the Brethren in Hagerstown, IN for 11 years, Eastwood Church of the Brethren in Akron, OH for 11 years, Pitsburg Church of the Brethren in Arcanum, OH from 1980-1981, Spring Creek Church of the Brethren from 1981-1988 and West Manchester Church of the Brethren from 1992-1994.
On June 29, 1946 Byron married Zola A. Simpson. They were wed for sixty-two years before Zola passed on February 8, 2009. The two built a beautiful life and family together. Both Zola and Byron were members of the Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester. Byron was a lifelong Hoosier basketball and Chicago Cubs fan. He and his sister often called each other after Cubs game to talk about the events of the game. He was also a member of the Lions Club of North Manchester.
The loving memory of Rev. L. Byron Miller will be forever cherished by his two sons, Julian Miller, Riverview, Florida and Stanley (Linda) Miller, North Manchester; three daughters, Rowena (Darrel Fourman), Fayetteville, Georgia, Anita Miller, Wabash, Indiana, and Lillian Long, Philippi, West Virginia; eight grandchildren, Brian (Kim) Fourman, Tyrone, Georgia, Heather (Anthony) Zias, Belcamp, Maryland, Jordan Long, Athens, Georgia, Nelson (Alison) Long, Madison, Wisconsin, Kiersten (Chris) Tharp, Fayetteville, Georgia, Emily Weikert, Union, Ohio, Cohen Marvel, North Manchester, and Alyssa Marvel, North Manchester; and seven great-grandchildren. Byron was preceded in death by his parents; wife; four brothers, Delbert Miller, Loren Miller, James Miller, and Kenneth Miller; and two sisters, Bernice Keppler and Freda Miller.
Family and friends may call Tuesday, February 11, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana. A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, February, 12, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at the Timbercrest Assembly Room, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana. A private burial will be held at Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, 2507 State Road 14, Silver Lake, Indiana. Pastor Kurt Borgmann with officiate.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Rev. L. Byron Miller, memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 or Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 North Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.
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