Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Paul Miller, Dad, 7/30/49 - 7/9/2010


My dad was a man who met life full on. He was a risk taker whose head was full of ideas and plans. He enjoyed taking on new things and he enjoyed a good challenge. He completed these thing with a super human amount of hard work mixed with a good old fashioned dose of bullheadedness. He didn't back down from the challenges, and quitting was not an option.

I think I was in grade school when I first realized how hard dad worked. His insurance business was in its infancy. We lived on my gradparents' farm. They both were fighting losing battles with cancer. He put in an incredible amount of hours in his own business, and was running grandpa's farm. I'm honestly not sure when he slept those years.

I remember going out on the corn planter at night with him. He would plant the corn by the headlights of the tractor. I would ride along, and always fell asleep while he went back forth through the field.

Over the years he had a lot of different jobs, but he did every one of them with the same attitude; full on. 100% effort was put in while completing the work to his own high standards.

Though he did not play nearly as much as maybe we all thought he should, when he did play it was with the same force. I remember long Sunday drives, Monopoly games, euchre, back packing, camping, softball, and just horsing around with kids.

He had a huge soft spot for kids. It could be seen when he was a youth pastor and foster parent, but I've seen it most in the last five years here with his own grandchildren. The grand kids were always tagging along with him to work on fence, run to the feed mill, feed the animals, or just watch him work on whatever project was occupying him that day.

I am so incredibly grateful for the last five years of living and work beside him on our little farm in the woods. What a precious gift it is for Tim and I and the kids. I can't really begin to fathom what life here will be like with out him. We all ready miss him so much. But he taught us how to face this challenge. We will meet it with hard work mixed with a good dose of Miller stubbornness. All the while remembering to, "Consider it pure joy. . . " James 1:2.



Paul M. Miller, 60, of Ona, WV, formerly of Fredericksburg, OH passed Friday, July 9, 2010 from injuries sustained in a farm accident. He was a generous man who freely gave of his time and resources. He met life's challenges with a sense of adventure and perseverance. He encouraged others around him to do the same, often using his favorite verse, James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." He touched many lives, and will be deeply missed. Paul was a successful business man, a youth pastor, backpacker, spelunker, bus driver, wrestling coach, foster parent, but spent the final years of his life doing what he loved best, tending to the land and animals and spending time with his family. He was born July 30, 1949 in Millersburg, OH, a son of the late Melvin B. And Mary P. Miller. He is survived by his wife, Linda Franks Miller; one daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Tim Appleton of Ona, WV; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Eric Miller of Oak Hill, WV and Jake and Delilah Miller of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sara and Paul Mast of Apple Creek, OH, Clara and Andy Troyer of Millersburg, OH, Amanda Raber of Holmesville, OH, Katie and John Erb of Walnut Creek, OH brothers and sisters-in-law, Eli and Verba Miller of NY, Roy and Lovina Miller of Holmesville, OH, Pete and Anna Miller of Coschocton, OH and Abe and Erma Miller of Danville, OH; and ten grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-9 pm at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by Paul Richardson. Burial will be in Barker Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan's Purse, Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timefor memory.com/wallace.


28 comments:

  1. Oh Stephanie, I'm so sorry for your loss...Peace be with you and your family...

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  2. Oh Stephanie, it's so bittersweet to see these pics of your dad with the kids. My fave is the second to the last one. Praying for you today. :)
    Becca

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  3. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your Dad sounds like a great man and your words honor him well.

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  4. My condolences. (((hugs)))

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  5. You're in my thoughts and prayers!

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  6. What an amazing life he lived!

    I'm sorry for the loss of your father - it sounds like he was a truly great man. May peace and comfort be with you and yours in this and all times...*hugs*

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  7. stephanie, those are great pictures of your dad with the kids. you guys are lucky to have spent the past 5 years living and farming together. i'm sure you're grateful for that time.

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  8. Oh Steph, Im so very sorry for your family's loss. Hugs

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  9. A great blog and tribute to your Dad, keep the memories alive!

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  10. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending a prayer for your family.

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  11. Stephanie: *hugs*

    This is a beautiful tribute. Sending prayers and peaceful vibes to you and your family.

    And another *hug*.

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  12. I am so very sorry. Accidents are so hard to deal with because of the suddenness. This is a lovely post.

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  13. Gone too soon...may he RIP among the angels.

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  14. I am So So Sorry for your Loss, my thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family.

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  15. Nice tribute to your wonderful dad! I hope that with each passing day, these memories fill your heart so that the sadness disappears. May God watch over you all & keep you safe! Love Always

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  16. I'm so sorry for your loss of your father, Stephanie. I'm so glad that you have such fond memories of him, and that you have honored his memory in such a beautiful way by writing about him. I'm sure that your children will cherish that as they grow.

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  17. Stephanie,
    My heart goes out to you and your family for your loss. You wrote a beautiful memorial to your dear Dad. May God bless you and your family. (((Hugs)))
    Cindy

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  18. You and Tim are in my thoughts.

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  19. Sending love.

    Aunt D.

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  20. Stephanie & Family,
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss and will be praying for your entire family during this time. Treasure the memories you have and the joy of knowing those who have accepted Christ as their savior will meet again someday.

    Thoughts and prayers,
    The Bliss Family

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  21. I am so sorry to hear of the tragic loss you and your family have suffered. I will hold each of you in my prayers - asking God to give each of you whatever needed to help you get to the other side of your grieving until you can hold your own.

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  22. I wanted to stop in and let you know how sorry I am to hear of your loss! I can only imagine what you and your family must be going through but just know you're in our prayers!

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  23. i came across your Blog and I read your blog about Mr. Miller.
    He sounds like a great man!

    We need more men like him in this world.

    Be Blessed.

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  24. Oh Stephanie, I'm heartbroken for you and your family. Your dad was an amazing man and touched so many lives -- including mine. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and especially with your mom. I'm sending you all love and energy, hang in there.

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  25. I am so sorry. My Dad lived through his accident, but is now a paraplegic. I so very much understand the practical concerns of 'how do we fill in this huge vacancy? Our get-it-done-guy is gone." And then, on top of all there is to do, there is daddy-grief. No wonder you are dazed.

    When people asked us how we were doing, I'd just pretend I didn't hear them. It's an impossible question.

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  26. Stephanie, sorry to read about your loss. Prayers your way!

    Barb

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  27. Stephanie - I stumbled upon your blog and read about your Dad. I am so sorry that he died. My Dad died a year and a half ago, somewhat suddenly, and I still miss him tremendously. One of my friends told me that even tho it's so hard, you (meaning one) will learn to manage the grief. I took me a long time, but eventually I found that I can manage the grief. Keep hanging in there and I am so sorry! Karen

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  28. Jeff & Veronica Styer12/17/10, 1:55 PM

    Hi Stephanie & Tim,
    Jeff and I just found out about your dad's accident. We want you to know what a special man he was and God used him to make us both better people. This is such a great tribute! We have so many treasured memories of time spent with both of your parents. We will be praying for your whole family, especially through the Christmas season. Sending much love and prayers to your whole family.

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