Melvin Miller Jr., 55, of Pierceton, died at 8:21 a.m. Feb. 28, 2010, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born Aug. 30, 1954, in Martin, Ky., to Melvin and Thelma Stephens Miller. He was united in marriage to Alicia J. Yates, who survives.
He worked at Gripco Inc., South Whitley, for 16 years. He retired Sept. 23, 2009, from Zimmer Inc., after 23 years. He served as senior supervisor at Plant 19 in the instrument cell department.
He loved riding horses, the outdoor life and coon hunting. A notable achievement of his was riding a horse from South Whitley to Prestonsburg, Ky., a distance of some 410 miles. He was ordained into ministry at Victory Rock Church, Pierceton, under Pastor Rick Johnson. While at the church, he was active in a missions trip to Guatemala.
Also surviving are a daughter, Cherity (and spouse Jamie) Prater; a son, Jeremy (and spouse Christine) Miller; three grandsons, Tarren J. and Trevor J. Prater, and Hunter W. Miller; a granddaughter, Elizabeth A. Miller; five sisters: Anna Jean (and spouse Lorenza) Hurd; Arlene (and spouse Larry) Stroufe; Gloria (and spouse Ronald) Dafforn; Gale (and spouse Larry) Burkhart; and Saundra (and spouse Jack) Ott; three brothers: Charles Miller (and fiance Paula Haynes); Arthur Miller (and fiance Linda Coulter); and Rick (and spouse Kristi) Miller; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Tom Miller.
A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Victory Rock Church, Pierceton, with Pastors William Whitaker and Rick Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Palestine Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
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Memorials may be made to his family.
Condolences may be sent to mchattonsaderfuneralchapels.com
