"My name is Gary Purvis I am so blessed to have had Bob as my second dad. His greatest tribute is his family and how he gave of himself so freely to others throughout is life."
In loving memory of
Robert V Miller
May 28, 1930 - December 5, 2020
Robert V. "Bob" Miller, 90, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 5, 2020. He was born to Winnie and Gladys (Kratzer) Miller, in Converse, Indiana, on May 28, 1930. Bob was very proud of his family and loved being a grandpa. He was also an avid Pacers, Colts and Cubs fan. Bob graduated from Converse High School in 1948. He then played Basketball at Earlham and received his BA from Manchester College. Bob married Mary Ellen Winger on June 1, 1952, while on weekend leave from his Army assignment in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Bob and Mary Ellen lived in Zweibrucken, Germany for two years while he completed his service in the Army during the Korean War. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary earlier this summer and were blessed to live at the same Converse farm for over 60 years. Bob was a member of Converse United Methodist Church and in recent years attended Open Door Fellowship.
Bob was a lifelong farmer. He "felt a call towards being a teacher" and taught at Oak Hill Schools for 10 years. He had his own pool construction companies in Florida and Indiana. He served briefly as program director at the local YMCA, and had his own ice cream shop named Bleachers. Finally, he built and owned Security and Alarm Systems for 40+ years. He took that little alarm company to 14 states while personally traveling to and servicing each farm. He built many close friendships with his clients over the years and felt that the relationships formed were the most fulfilling part of his work.
Bob loved to travel and stayed only at the finest Motel 6's; where they did leave the light on for him and Mary Ellen, especially in Iowa. He was frugal on everyday things but loved investing in family memories. He led the family on many epic adventures later in life. First to Germany with Chris to visit Zweibrucken and see Weert Kramer, a German Exchange student that lived with the Miller's in 1987 and is still a lifelong other son. Then 14 family members went by planes, trains, and automobiles on an adventure through Italy, including the Sistine Chapel, Mt. Vesuvius, and everything in-between. That trip was followed by an Alaskan Cruise with even more grandchildren included. Then maybe his favorite; an 8 day, 13 states, 5,000-mile double-decker bus trip out west. The Bad Lands, Mt. Rushmore, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Branson, and home. His entire family trapped on a bus together, day and night; a nightmare maybe for some, but a dream for him. It was always easy talking him into a new adventure...he lived life to the fullest.
Bob is survived by his wife Mary Ellen; children, John Miller, Christopher Miller, Sarah (Roger) Vogel, Thorpe (Gina) Miller, Mary (Jason) Miller, Gary (Ellenor) Purvis, Kenny (Mary) Purvis, and Cheryl (Bill) Fields; grandchildren, Brent (Naomi) Miller, Brandon Miller; Zach (Margaux) Vogel, Jacob (Caitlyn) Vogel, Jessie (Daniel) Swihart; Gavin (Marin) Miller, Owen Miller, Malina Miller; Griffin (Micayla) Miller, James Alhand, Nolan Miller, Isaac Alhand, Sadie Miller; Kim Purvis, Kerri Copher, Jason Purvis, Adam Purvis, and Tina Helton; great-grandchildren, Heavyn, Ethan, and Trinity Miller, Madyson Miller, Haley, Adam, and Joshua Miller, Ellie, Miriam, and Kinsley Vogel; brothers Clayton Miller and Don Miller.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Winnie and Gladys Miller, brothers, Loren and Meredith, sister, Madonna (Plotner), and grandson Justin Miller.
He wanted to be buried in a simple pine casket, a celebration, maybe a reason for a pickup basketball game. He wanted to have his hand raised, so people could walk by and give him a high 5. That was Dad, ornery, loving, and especially generous.
Arrangements for Bob have been entrusted to College Park Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home, 4601 S. Western Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46953 where the following services will be held.
On Friday, December 18, 2020, from 4-6 pm, there will be a "Drive-Thru Visitation". The family will be outside to greet you while you remain warm and safe in your cars. Please enter the funeral home parking lot from the Washington Street entrance. The Western Avenue entrance will be used as an exit only during this time.
On Saturday, December 19, 2020, there will be a private family funeral service from 10:30-11:30 am, being officiated by his grandsons, Pastor Brent Miller and Pastor Zach Vogel. There will be a Livestreaming link available on this day, at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com, listed on Bob's tribute page, if you would like to view the private service online.
Then there will be a public visitation from 12-2 pm. COVID protocols will be enforced, so mask-up, practice social distancing and we will do the best we can.
All are also welcomed to attend the graveside service being held at Grant Memorial Park at 2:30 pm.
Online condolences may be left at: www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com
Tributes
"Hello, my name is Weert Kramer. I spent 6 months with the Miller Family in 1986 and got to know a very loving family on a beautiful farm outside Converse IN. I got to know Robert V. Miller and Mary Ellen Miller as very kind and caring people that really took care of each other and the whole large family, of which I got to know Chris, Thorpe, Sarah and Mary the most, who I still consider my American Family after all these years, even though we only meet every couple of years. Bob Miller for me was an outstanding very gentle man. Now that I am 50 years of age and having met many men in my lifetime, I consider Robert V. Miller the kindest man I have met. I remember Bob as someone who ... Never complained Always looked at the positive side of life Took good care of his wife and family Loved having family around Loved his family Loved Sports Liked a good joke never spoke a bad word was the most relaxed person I had a call with Bob only this spring while I was in Dallas TX for some days. And we had the best talk, remember the good times on the farm. I was really impressed that Bob still knew a lot of detail of my family here in Germany and was really interested in learning about what I was doing in Dallas. Even though already physically in pain I suppose, he never complained. Not one word, only thankfulness for a rich life. I think the whole Miller Family can be proud to about Bob and how he managed himself and the whole family. I really appreciate the Miller Family effort to welcome me in their home and that we are connected after all these years. Bob V. Miller was a good man. Rest in peace Bob. Weert "
"I will never forget this kind gentle man and his beautiful family. Those basketball games in Logansport with Bob and Meredith were special. My very best to all the Miller children. You had a real fine dad. Michael Stafford "
" Words cannot express my sadness I worked with Bob for 15 years. Bob was the first customer I ever spoke with when I first got my job with Uplink. From the first day I meet Bob he gave me that since of family and from that day on we have talked and laughed for years. Bob is 1 in a million, and will be truly missed. "
"Our condolences to Mr. Miller's family and friends."