Miller, Freeman James (1917-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Sep 7 p. 13

Birth date: 1917 Jul 16

text of obituary:

FREEMAN MILLER

Freeman James Miller, 91, of Hesston, Kan., died June 14, 2009. He was born July 16, 1917, to James J. and Emma Brobst Miller at Crystal Springs.

He graduated from Harper High School. As a young man he received Christ and joined Crystal Springs Mennonite Church. After retirement he joined Garden Community Church near Hesston.

On Aug. 19, 1937, he married Odena Yoder in Hutchinson.

Together they owned and operated Miller Mercantile Co. at Crystal Springs for more than 40 years. They added a locker and meat processing service to the business in the 1950s. Freeman also farmed and raised cattle and hogs.

In 1992, they retired to Schowalter Villa in Hesston, and Odena died suddenly on March 12, 1993. He met Evelyn Zerger Stucky, and they were married on Nov. 25, 1994.

He used his musical talents in the church as a song leader and in various quartets. Then later he was part of Evelyn’s Rag Tag Band at Memorial Home. He enjoyed playing softball with the local team. Later in life he enjoyed attending many ball games. Fishing trips to Colorado with the family were made for many years, and the last trip included four generations fishing together. Many hours were also spent with his bird dogs hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; a daughter, Maris Schroeder and her husband, Donald, of Moundridge; a son, Edwin and his wife, Carol, of Kalona, Iowa; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Evelyn’s children, Lyle Stucky and his wife, Linda, of Osler, Sask., Larry Stucky and his wife, Cindy, of McPherson, Lynn Stucky and his wife, Lori, of Sanger, Texas, Denise Siemens and her husband, Allen, of McPherson, Donna Sharp and her husband, Max, of Little Rock, Ark, and Danielle Suderman and her husband, Dwight, of McPherson; Evelyn’s 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Mae Miller, Beulah Zimmerman, Lela Naffziger, Ola Hooley, Norman Miller, Forrest Miller and an infant sister.

Memorial services were held at Garden Community Church.