Obituary of Theodore Robert Miller

Theodore “Ted” R. Miller, 93, formerly of Niles, peacefully passed away in Edwardsburg, Michigan, surrounded by those he loved.

On June 17, 1929, Ted was born in Bloomington, Indiana, to the late George and Edna (Marvel) Miller.

There aren’t many people who can say that they have lived a life as full as Ted Miller’s. After graduating from the Tulsa Oklahoma Bible School in 1947, he was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War. He was one of the strong few who served our country without a weapon as he chose to hold his faith closer to his heart than anything else. After being honorably discharged in 1953, Ted found a very long and successful career as an insurance agent. His thirty-seven and half-year career working for National Life and Accident Insurance connected him with multiple communities and introduced him to a lot of the friends he had for the majority of his life. He was an accomplished charter member of the four Flags Association of Life Under Writers and as a result, he won numerous awards and many opportunities to travel. Most people decide to slow down after a thirty-seven-year career but after retirement, Ted decided he wanted to run his own drywall business and kept busy with that until he started driving for Avis Rental Cars.

Aside from his career, what Ted found the most pride in was his beautiful family of five. He married the woman of his dreams, Joyce Gentry, on April 15, 1951, and their union brought them two daughters and a son. He was fortunate enough to become a grandpa, a great-grandpa, and a great-great-grandpa before his passing. He served as the patriarch of his family and guided them with the same faith that he was raised with. He attended the Full Gospel Church and was the Sunday School superintendent for ten years. Ted wasn’t afraid to participate in singing his favorite hymns with his church family and was also known to play the clarinet. He loved traveling and appreciated anything he could do that involved being outside; hunting, fishing, softball, tennis, and was excellent in a horseshoe pit. The game that he enjoyed connecting with his children and grandchildren on was ping pong, a lifetime favorite of his.

Preceding Ted in death are his parents, George and Edna (Marvel) Miller; wife, Joyce (Gentry) Miller; sister, Mary Lou Scott; extended family members, and many friends.

Those surviving Ted include his three children, Joe (Lillie) Miller, Cindy Kirkdorfer, and Pam (Elgon) Ellis; grandchildren, Aaron Asmus, Aarick Asmus, Landon (Maggie) Asmus, Cameron (Karla) Mendenhall, Brooke Mendenhall, Daniel Miller, Kayla (Daniel) Simpson, Rachel Miller, Brian (Tammy) Ellis, Larry (Monique) Ellis, and Jeff Ellis; great-grandchildren, Brandon Asmus, Kadin Goetz, Sam Goetz, Myah Asmus, Garrett Asmus, Nathan Krupp, Cole Krupp, Dylan Mendenhall, Colten Mendenhall, Jackson Caram, Joshua Simpson, Nick (Christina) Ellis, Kassie Ellis, Brooke (Aaron) DePalma; great-great-grandchildren, Ophilia, Penelope, and Atlas DePalma; as well as three nieces and one nephew.

Following Ted’s wishes, a funeral ceremony will take place at the Calvary Chapel in Granger, Indiana, on Friday, September 23, 2022. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the service at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the funeral there will be lunch provided at the church. Following the luncheon, Ted will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made to either Calvary Chapel (53494 Fir Rd., Granger, Indiana, 46530) or to Centrica Care Navigators (7100 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49009).

A very special thanks to the Centrica Care Team; Kendra, Jen, Robin, and Chris for the compassion and genuine care that was given during Ted’s final days.

Pictures, memories, and condolence messages for the family may be posted on Ted’s webpage at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.