John R. Miller went to his heavenly home at 2:15 pm on Monday, November 2, 2009. He was born in Marshfield, MO on September 17,1917 to Sam A. and Katie Louise (Rabaneu) Miller. John graduated from Fordland High School, attended Missouri State Teachers College, and Drury College, where he received his BSBA.
He began his career teaching in a one room school in Cave Springs, MO located in Webster County. John then moved to Fordland where he served as grade school principal for four years. He entered the military service with the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served until 1946. He served in the Philippines and is authorized to wear the Philippine Liberation Medal. Following discharge from the service he returned to Fordland and entered into an Auto Supply business with life-long friend, Hayden Brentlinger. During this period John served 2 terms as Mayor of Fordland and was on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Fordland. In 1954 John accepted employment with the Missouri State Division of Employment Security where he worked until his retirement in 1983. During his career he served as State Training Supervisor, District Manager, and Manager of the Springfield Office. Following is retirement he served two terms as president of the local chapter of the Association of Retired Missouri State Employees and served six years on the State Board of Govenors of the same association.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary McCoy and Kathryn Miller.
John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Coley McCoy and their 3 children; Patti Tourville of Springfield, John M. Miller and wife Glenda of Branson, Mark Alan Miller of Shell Knob; and a sister Henrietta Model and husband James of Crestwood, MO. John is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren all of whom he loved dearly.
John was an active member of Campbell United Methodist Church where he served on many boards and committees including two years as president of Methodist Men. John was a 50 year member of Mt. Olive Masonic Lodge No. 439 and was a member of American Legion Post 676.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 5-7 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home South.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 pm on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Campbell United Methodist Church under the direction of Greenlawn South Funeral Home.
Burial will follow the service in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be sent to St. John’s Hospice or Campbell United Methodist Church.