Miller, Russell Edward (1917-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jan 25 p. 24

Birth date: 1917 Feb 20

text of obituary:

RUSSELL EDWARD MILLER

Russell Edward Miller passed away Oct. 6. He was born Feb. 20, 1917 in Palmerston, Ont. He went to school in the Niagara area after the family moved there in the early 1920s. He started his own dairy business while still a teen. He was an entrepreneur and adventurer. He became a commercial pilot, surviving 3 emergency landings. During World War II, he kept an identity as a farmer because he did not want to serve as a military pilot. He married Mary Agnes Jones in 1937; 2 sons were born to them. The couple later separated. Mary died in 1989. By the early 1960s, he had sold his dairy products distribution business as well as some property. For a brief time, he sold mutual funds, then began building lightweight canoes. For over 20 years, he donated 1 per year to Camp Crossroads. He began attending Vineland (Ont.) MB Church in the 1970s. He was baptized June 7, 1981 by Isaac Block. Later he brought his 2 grandsons to the church to attend boys' club and Sunday school. He was a quiet, faithful man with a genuine smile. He participated in Bible study groups. He was planning to go whitewater canoeing in summer 2001 when he suffered a partial stroke. He was hosptialized by a more severe stroke in September. Predeceased by 2 brothers, he is mourned by sons Willard of California and Ralph of Jordan, Ont.; 4 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 1 sister and 2 brothers. The funeral was Oct. 11 at Vineland MB Church, with Doug Schulz and Henry Wiebe ministering.