Richard Miller

Richard Ray Miller was a bright, likeable man with many interests and abilities. He was resourceful as well as thoughtful, mellow as well as adventurous. He could hold onto his convictions and speak his mind while balancing both sides of an argument and approaching an issue with a level head. His insights were valued, his judgments were honest, his heart was open and his service was unwavering.

Richard was born in Warsaw, Indiana at a time when the United States was cautiously watching events unfold in Europe, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt was encouraging Americans with his Fireside Chats. Families had come through the challenges of economic depression with a strong work ethic and a determination to make life better for their children. One such family was Ira Ray and Elva Oznola (Montel) Miller, who welcomed Richard on September 26, 1940. He and his three younger siblings, Toni, Bob and Randy, lived on the family farm in Silver Lake, Indiana. Richard learned to drive tractor at age 6, which marked the beginning of his lifelong love of motorized vehicles.

In high school, Richard played basketball, performed in school plays and worked on cars. He graduated as a Silver Lake Rambler, but the carefree days of youth disappeared when tragedy struck the family. His parents and youngest brother Randy were killed in an automobile accident, and 18-year-old Richard was suddenly on his own with adult responsibilities.

Richard joined the United States Air Force in 1958. In 1960, he married his childhood friend, Carolyn Caudill, and later that year, they moved to Germany where they witnessed the installation of the Berlin Wall and the birth of their daughter, Shelley. Five years later, their son, Randy was born in Huntsville, Alabama, where Richard helped draft and design the telemetry system for the Gemini Space Program. The family later moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Richard attended International Business College and later owned and operated a Sunoco Service Station.

Richard’s marriage to Carolyn ended, and in 1982 he met and began dating Cheryl Reasor Buck. She was drawn to his respectful manner and easy laugh. The couple married on March 12, 1983, and shortly thereafter moved to Cape Coral, Florida, with Cheryl’s children, James and Valerie. In 1988, James died tragically at the age of 20.

Soon thereafter, Richard and Cheryl were baptized at Southside Christian Church and became active as youth leaders. They began attending First Christian Church after moving to Fort Myers and discovered a passion for missions work. They served both domestically and abroad, using their passion for teaching children about Christ and Richard’s ability to fix anything. During that time, Richard also volunteered as a deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Department.

In 1999, Richard and Cheryl returned to Indiana and began attending Mt. Gilead Church. Soon enough the two of them were contributing to the church, serving as teachers, mentors and missionaries. After several years, Richard was asked to join the staff of Mt. Gilead. That work eventually led him to a full time position as Facilities and Grounds Director.

For Richard, life was an adventure, and he lived it fully at work and at play. Eager to be outdoors, he hiked, biked and camped, most recently with his new red Toyota Tundra truck that could pull the camper anywhere. Richard and Cheryl traveled to Gulf Shores for the first time in 2006, and it soon became his favorite destination. His cremated remains will be scattered along the beach there and at Gulf State Park.

In 2012, Richard was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Richard was determined to fight the disease and continued to work and play until April of this year, when the disease returned with a vengeance. In May, when Richard was too weak to drive, 15 of Richard and Cheryl’s friends from church orchestrated one final camping trip for them.

Richard Ray Miller, 73, Camby, Indiana, died peacefully on Sunday July 27, 2014, at St. Vincent Hospice, Indianapolis. He will be missed by a loving family and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, James Loren Buck and his brother, Randall Ray Miller.

Survivors include his wife, Cheryl (Reasor) Miller, to whom he was united in marriage March 12, 1983; children, Shelley Lynn Miller (Arthur Nicholas Gerth, Jr.) of Portage, Michigan, Randall Ray Miller of Portage, Michigan, and Valerie Lynn Chaille´ (Joseph W., III) of Carmel; siblings, Toni R. Ayres (Terry) of Leesburg, Indiana and Robert R. Miller (Patricia) of Greenfield; grandchildren, Nicholas Gerth, III (Amber) of Mendon, Michigan, Amanda Walker (Shawn) of LaGrange and Sophia Chaille´ of Fishers; great grandchildren, Brooke, Lucas, and Noah.

Friends and family will gather on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, 4 to 8 p.m., in Mt. Gilead Christian Church, 6019 East S.R. 144, Mooresville, Indiana. A service to honor and celebrate Rich’s life will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 31, 2014, in the church. Rev. Jeff Faull will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent Hospice or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to view Richard’s Life Story video, share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.