Sunday, July 5, 2020, Lloyd D. Miller, 89, of South Bend, Indiana, living in
Greencroft Health Center in Goshen, Indiana, peacefully passed away. On
January 25, 1931, Lloyd was born at home, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at 3 1⁄2 pounds,
to Daniel D. and Amanda Miller. He was born into an Amish home. When Lloyd
was 3 years old, his mother passed away and his father soon-after joined the
Mennonite Church. Lloyd attended Hesston College, in Kansas, for two years
before finishing at Goshen College, Indiana, in 1951. He met Mary Jo Bontrager
at Goshen College on a blind date, set up by mutual friends. They were married
on August 27, 1955 at Forks Mennonite Church in Middlebury, Indiana. Lloyd
and Mary Jo were blessed to welcome Roslyn Elizabeth Miller (Ricker) on April
11, 1970 in Wimbledon, England. Lloyd and Mary Jo were there for a year as part
of a teacher exchange program. Their time in England gained them many
friends and precious memories.
Through Roz’s friendship with Christina Pier (McGovern) in high school, Lloyd
developed an unexpected and treasured friendship with Scott and Patricia Pier
(Christina’s parents). With Scott’s guidance, Lloyd learned how to ride a
motorcycle. He purchased a well-appointed, used Honda Gold Wing. In July of
1989, Lloyd and Scott took a 6,252 mile round trip or an “Incredible Journey” to
Alaska. Lloyd documented the entire trip via a journal and his descriptions of
their adventures were hilarious and insightful. Eventually, Lloyd traded in the
2-wheeled bike for a 3-wheeled (Honda) trike. It was his pride and joy for many
years.
For more than 30 years, Lloyd taught in the South Bend Community School
Corporation. Lloyd’s sense of humor, calm demeanor, and creative
presentation engaged many disinterested and energetic students. To this day,
former students recall Lloyd’s patience and how they enjoyed listening to The
Hobbit on record and building load-bearing toothpick bridges in Mr. Miller’s
classroom.
Lloyd and Mary Jo were some of the first members of Kern Road Mennonite
Church in the 1960’s. For many years, Lloyd was one of the main choristers at
Kern Road Mennonite Church. Lloyd and Mary Jo were also members of the
Vesper Chorale in South Bend. In Lloyd’s earlier years, he studied pottery
during summers in graduate school at IU Bloomington. While in England, he
completed several large brass rubbings in village churches. He enjoyed
gardening and working various plantings into the yard. In the 70’s, he took up
macrame. In the 80’s he took up stained glass. In his retired years, he took up
elaborate counted-cross-stitch with many masterpieces installed in friends and
relatives’ homes. Those who knew him best found his story-telling pockmarked
with understated humor and clever remarks.
Although Lloyd and Mary Jo had only one biological child, they later welcomed
Paul Hawkins and his partner, Roy Dahl to their family. The “Boys” as they were
called by Lloyd and Mary Jo, participated in both the mundane and holidays in
the Miller family. They happily gained another son when Roslyn married the
late John Ricker in 2006.
Lloyd loved being a grandfather to Zoe Kathryn and Ava Grace. Lloyd’s precise
and artistic abilities have been inherited and embraced by Zoe who is entering
her senior year as an Art History and Studio Art Double Major at Saint Mary’s
College. Ava’s dry sense of humor and somewhat rebellious nature are surely a
tribute to Lloyd.
Lloyd is survived by his daughter, Roslyn Ricker. Granddaughters Zoe
Kathryn-Miller Ricker and Ava Grace Ricker. Sisters-in-law Joyce Miller and
Anna Mae Troyer. Sons by choice Paul Hawkins and Roy Dahl. Preceding him in
death are his wife, Mary Jo Miller, son-in-law John Ricker, parents Daniel D. and
Amanda Miller, stepmother Clara (Troyer) Miller, brothers Elmer and Leroy
Miller and stepbrother Alfred Troyer.
Please join us in a celebration of life for Lloyd virtually on July 23, 2020, at 7:00 PM. The service will take place through the video conferencing program, Zoom. A request for an invitation should be sent to krmc@krmc.net Once invited, a link will be sent for participation. A graveside service at the family cemetery will be held the following day.
Palmer Funeral Home- Guisinger Chapel will be assisting the family all the arrangements. Online condolences may be hared with the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com
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