Phyllis J. Miller

Phyllis J. Miller, 88, of Fort Wayne, passed away on March 23, 2019. Born on March 29, 1930, in Fort Wayne, she was a daughter of the late Donald C. and Elizabeth M. (Clauser) Miller. She was a 1948 graduate of South Side High School and won the Fort Wayne City Junior Championship in tennis. She married Carl G. Miller Jr. in 1953, and graduated Taylor University as a PE major that same year. At Taylor, she played many sports, was president of the Women’s Athletic Association, a writer on the newspaper, and a member of Chi Kappa. She was inducted into the Taylor Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

She taught at Fort Wayne Bible College, and was the founding coach for the basketball and volleyball teams (73-79), retiring in 1980. She was an avid tennis player and went to the Senior National Olympic Games 5 times. A member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, she volunteered, was a past president of the Altar Guild, and was involved in various offices in the ladies’ organizations. She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, and games with her granddaughters.

She is survived by her son, C. Edward Miller, of Fremont; daughter-in-law, Sandy Miller, of Defiance, Ohio; granddaughters, Laura (Carson) Tucker, of West Lafayette, Rachel (Adam) Bancroft, of Carmel; great-granddaughters, Zelia and Hazel Bancroft; sisters, Joyce Andrew, of Fort Wayne, and Kathy Bender, of Fort Meyers, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl G. Miller Jr; and son, William C. Miller.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 29, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1126 S. Barr Street, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Taylor University. Arrangements have been entrusted to D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 E Dupont Road, Fort Wayne.