Lawrence Duane Miller (Larry) 92, passed away November 21, 2019. He was born May 4, 1927 in Kellerton, Iowa to Lawrence T. and Ruth C. Miller. He graduated from Colorado Springs High School, then at 17, enlisted in the United States Army serving in the South Pacific during World War II, in the Transportation Corp.
On September 25, 1946, he married Mary Louise Hollister in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Throughout their 73 years of marriage, Larry described their whirlwind courtship as “Love at first sight!” He would add, “She was the prettiest of the six Hollister sisters.”
The Miller family lived in the Chicago area, South Bend Indiana, and St. Louis Missouri prior to moving to Newburgh. Larry was the President and co-owner of Geiger Moving and Storage in Evansville when he retired from what he described as his “business career” in 1989.
In 1986 Larry became a Lay Minister, licensed as an Interim Minister, subsequently serving 16 United Church of Christ Churches. In one of the most meaningful moments of his 92 years, Larry was ordained in the United Church of Christ August 2006. He served as Pastor of St. John UCC, Lamar, IN and Zion UCC, Chrisney IN from December 2005 to January 2009.
He was a WNIN reader to the blind for 14 years and a Docent at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science from 1989, including 2 years as President. He was a 19-year member of the Sertoma Club and of FOCUS, a service group to the Evansville State Hospital.
Along with his parents, he was sadly preceded in death by daughter-in-law Diane Miller and son-in-law David Estep.
Loving him still are his wife of 73 years, Mary; sister Helen Baumgardner; daughters Lari Aynne Estep, June (Joe Neth) Miller, and Jane (Amie) Miller; and son, Mark Miller; grandchildren Todd (Jackie) Turnock, Kerri (Mike) Mattern, Erik Estep, Britton Estep, Erin (Adam) Shaffer, Kate (Jared) Young, and Hana Miller; great grandchildren Jordan, Alexandra and Addison Turnock, Lucas, Lindsey, Elizabeth and Elias Mattern, Eva, Marie, Jane and Abram Shaffer, and Jackson and Mike Young; and great great granddaughter Jordy Turnock.
The Miller siblings extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice, whose caring compassion allowed our father the utmost dignity and peace at the close of his 92 years.
We invite everyone to celebrate Lawrence Duane Miller’s life on December 14, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Bethlehem United Church of Christ 6400 Oak Hill Road, Evansville Indiana, led by Reverend Emily Slade.
In honor of Larry, his long life and his dedication to others, please consider a gift to Bethlehem United Church of Christ or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.
