COLUMBUS
On Sunday January 9, 2022, Leland Ralph Miller, loving father, grandfather, and brother passed away at the age of 85 following an extended illness.
Leland was born and raised in Detroit, MI, staking a lifelong claim to being the yo-yo champ of his neighborhood, and gaining an unwavering love for classic Detroit automobiles. Leland graduated from Cooley High and earned his Master’s degree from the University of Detroit.
He worked in Michigan before moving to Columbus with his bride and young children in the early 1970s. Over his long and healthy lifetime, Leland worked in various careers, from selling shoes with his dad to finance, his favorite being as an instructor at Indiana Business College. While he moved around a bit in later life, Leland’s home bases were always Detroit and Columbus.
In younger years, he was involved as a member of the Jaycee Club, the Optimist Club, and was a catechism instructor at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church. Later in life, he enjoyed the cinema, and at every holiday could be counted on to give his grandchildren movie tickets and bring a plate of brownies to every home he visited. He was likely one of the original inventors of cringy dad jokes and loved Applebees on a date night.
Lee now joins his parents (Ralph and Helen Miller) Singin’ in the Kitchen with the heavenly chorus.
Leland is survived by four children ? Catherine (Mike) Williams, Jennifer (Anthony) Hill, Krista (Patrick) Farris, and Jaymi Lee Miller. Grandchildren include Joe (Kayla), Tim, and Matt Williams; Natalie and C.J. Hill; Alexander, Sebastian, and Langston Farris; and Brandon Miller. Leland is also survived by siblings Mary Ellen (Gary) Grove and Dennis (Mara) Miller, numerous nieces and nephews, and special friend Mary Ann (Garry) Henderson.
A graveside memorial service will take place on April 1st at 11 am, Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Fishers, where he will be laid to rest near his parents.
Special thanks to St. Bartholomew’s Parish, Willow Crossing Home, Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home, and the angels of the not-for-profit Thrive Alliance, to whom memorial donations may be made.
