J. Dean Miller

Dean Miller, 90, of Worthington, Ohio passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. He was born in Norwalk, Ohio on June 14th, 1935, to the late W. Ray and Corrine (Moreland) Miller. In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Carole L. Miller, his sister, Jane Louise (Miller) Davisson, his brother in-law, Frank Woolley and his brother-in-law, David Davisson. Dean will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends. He is survived by his children, Jim (Donna) Miller, Matt (Gretchen) Miller, and Melani (Ron) Pottorf, and his siblings, Mike (Lu) Miller, and Sandra Woolley. Known as their “Papah,” Dean will also be remembered by his grandchildren, Katie (Shawn) Fosnaugh, Jen (Pete) Miller, Lucas, Kyle, and Jared Pottorf, and his great grandchildren, Mara and Tatum Fosnaugh. In 1959, Dean graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in agriculture engineering. Throughout his career, he worked in several different roles for Jeffrey Manufacturing Company before moving to Simms Consulting where he helped other companies create and improve their manufacturing processes and products. In retirement, Dean found lots of ways to keep his engineer mind busy, but one of his favorite pastimes was wood turning; he created beautiful intricate pieces including bowls, cutting boards, and jewelry boxes which he regularly gifted to family and friends. In addition to woodworking, Dean enjoyed many other hobbies and activities. He was an active parishioner at All Saints Lutheran church where he served as an usher and sang in the choir. He loved gardening, cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes, and tackling handyman and building projects of all sizes. Dean was very passionate about traveling; he and Carole travelled internationally with the church choir, took their motor home all over the United States and Canada, and locally, they enjoyed camp outs with their Hoots Holiday Rambler motor home group. They also enjoyed frequent trips to Hilton Head Island, SC with their immediate family and vacations at the cabin in Lake Lure, NC with the extended family. In retirement, they embraced the snowbird lifestyle, traversing across the US each year; they stopped at sites along the way until they reached Sunflower Park in Surprise, Arizona. Sunflower Park became their winter home where they enjoyed sunshine, a friendly, active community of friends, and a very robust wood shop (Dean’s favorite)! Through his entire life, Dean was a man of action and service. Standing at well over six feet tall, he had a physically large presence in the room but was often a man of few words. He quietly showed his love through acts of service… showing up at games and recitals, attending graduations, repairing the broken light, and making the mashed potatoes for every holiday. When each grandchild reached eighth grade, he and Carole took them on a special trip; the grandchild selected the trip and no matter what they chose, Dean and Carole made it happen, cementing the bonds with their grandchildren and creating lasting memories. At the end of Carole’s life, Dean was an attentive and dedicated caregiver, insuring she remained safe and well cared for while she battled dementia. Though gone in body, Dean's legacy will live on through his family. Through every family trip, carpentry project, and a fruitful harvest from the vegetable garden, he will be fondly remembered and honored. Please join us for Dean’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at All Saint’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will start at 11:30am and the service will start at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lutheran Social Services or Habitat for Humanity.