COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Gilbert Joseph “Joe” Miller passed away at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. He was born in Monroe County, Indiana on November 25, 1947, to Gilbert and Dorothy M. (Hayes) Miller. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1966 and joined the US Air Force on February 15, 1967. After serving 7 years and 8 months in the Air Force, he was honorably discharged on August 17, 1974. During his active service, he was stationed throughout the United States and served abroad for more than 2 years. While serving he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.
He worked in various sales roles throughout his professional life, mainly with Nyffler Appliance Co. and HH Gregg Appliance. Through working at various store locations, helping to set up new stores throughout the US, and working with builders through commercial sales, he met so many different people in Indiana and throughout the United States that he counted as friends. Joe also gained additional connections and friendships when he became a mason and brother of the Jackson Lodge No 146 in Seymour, Indiana in 2010. He had a knack for connecting with people and enjoyed finding ways to make people smile.
Joe retired from sales in 2005 and began a caregiver role, taking care of his youngest daughter with kidney failure and other health issues. Within a few years, he would also find himself as a caregiver for his wife who was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Although life presented him with many challenges, Joe kept enduring and gave his family all that he could. He fought through many of his health challenges as well including Parkinson’s disease and blood cancer before his terminal diagnosis of bladder cancer.
From a young age, Joe was an avid lover of all sports. In high school, he ran cross country. He loved playing golf throughout most of his life. He loved attending his children’s youth sporting events. He loved watching NCAA Women’s and Men’s basketball on TV. He also thoroughly enjoyed watching college and NFL football. He held IU football season tickets for over 10 seasons and was also able to attend many Colts football games including seeing the Colts play at the Super Bowl in 2010. He also loved watching golf, NASCAR, baseball, and any other sporting event on TV.
Outside of sports, Joe was a lifelong learner. He loved listening to talk radio and soaking up all kinds of information from various sports shows, political shows, or just random everyday news. He read the newspaper in print and looked forward to reading the sports pages and other local news. Joe also enjoyed “smart” TV. He thoroughly enjoyed crime/investigation-based shows such as NCIS, Bones, and Castle.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Dorothy Miller; his daughter, Ashley S. Miller; and his brother, John Miller.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Brenda C.(Rutan) Miller; his son, Richard J. Miller, of Bloomington, IN; his daughters, Jodi (Tyler) Lovell, of Momence, IL, Alison (Sam) Sneddon, of Bloomington, IN, Andrea Miller, of Evansville, IN, and Erin (Jared) Laur, of Evansville, IN; his granddaughters, Hannah and Sarah Miller, Abby and Heidi Lovell, and Julia Laur; his grandson, Cooper Laur; his best friend and brother, Ted Miller, and brother, Terry Miller.
Services were held Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Following the service, he was laid to rest in the Garland Brook Mausoleum.
Those wishing may make memorial donations through the funeral home to Good Days, or online at https://www.mygooddays.org/donate.
Good Days is a national non-profit advocacy organization that provides patient assistance and financial resources for life-saving and life-extending treatments to people in need.
You are invited to light a virtual candle of remembrance and leave a condolence message to the family online at www.jewellrittman.com.
