James Earle Miller

James Earl Miller died peacefully at 85 after a short illness on Thursday, October 13, 2022. He lived at Richland Senior Living in Ellettsville, IN, for 12 years until his death. His family and neighbors knew him as a very generous and thoughtful man. He was frequently seen around the neighborhood, helping wherever and whenever someone needed him. He was known to offer a ride to the store or the doctor for anyone who asked. Many of his neighbors referred to him as the mayor of the complex.

Mr. Miller was born on July 17, 1937, in Bayard, WV, to his parents, Arsel and Elsie Miller. After Arsel’s death, he moved to Ohio with his two brothers, Edward and Ernie, and his mother, Elsie. Elsie married Chester Geer, and they raised the three boys in a small home in Warren, Ohio.

After high school, Mr. Miller enrolled in the US Army Corp on August 19, 1960, where he served at Fort George G Meade in Fort Meade, Maryland. He was in the US Army Signal Corp, Company C, 111th Signal Battalion, Private First Class. The Army honorably discharged him on December 31, 1964.

He married Rose Marie Skeins on July 24, 1965, and divorced in 1975. His second marriage was to Patricia Y. Thompson in 1985, ending in divorce in 1996.

Mr. Miller worked for Thermatex in Newton Falls, OH, until his retirement at 62. In 2002, he moved to Bloomington, IN, to be closer to his children, Belinda Miller Topa and Terrance James Miller.

The following survive Mr. Miller: his daughter and son-in-law, Belinda and Christopher Topa of Cumming, GA; his son and daughter-in-law, Terrance and Robyn Miller of Bloomington, IN; his granddaughter Ellyn Topa and grandson Ian Topa of Cumming, GA; and his granddaughters Mya and Alia Miller of Bloomington, IN. Rose’s grandchildren also remember him: Tye Barshney, with his wife Emily and daughter Isla of Bloomington, IN; and Avery Barshney of Bloomington, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arsel Miller and Elsie Miller Geer (Sherman); his stepfather Chester Geer; his brothers, Edward Miller and Ernest “Ernie” Miller; and his first wife, Rose M. Barshney (Skeins).

Mr. Miller chose cremation and will rest in a niche at the Valhalla Memory Gardens in Bloomington, IN. A private inurnment will be at Valhalla Memory Gardens.

lnstead of flowers, the family asks for donations to remember James at the Bloomington Animal Shelter.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com for the Miller family.