Miller, Leo L. (1926-2004)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2004 Jan 5 p. 2

Birth date: 1926 Jun 16

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Jan 19 p. 7

text of obituary:

Pastor who served 40 years dies at 77

MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — Leo L. Miller, a pastor for 40 years in General Conference Mennonite Church congregations, died Jan. 3 at Mercy hospital. He was 77.

A 1954 graduate of Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago, Miller served pastorates at Beatrice (Neb.) Mennonite Church, 1952-53; Goessel Mennonite Church, 1954-60; First Mennonite Church of Beatrice, 1960-69; First Mennonite Church of Reedley, Calif., 1969-76; Meadows Mennonite Church, Chenoa, Ill., 1976-86; and West Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown, Pa., 1986-92.

He was born June 16, 1926, at Freeman, S.D., the son of Ben P. and Marie Mueller Miller. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Bethel College in North Newton in 1950.

He was a Moundridge resident for three years, moving from Chenoa. He was a member of Eden Mennonite Church, rural Moundridge.

On Aug. 15, 1952, he married Lola L. Goering at Pretty Prairie. She survives. other survivors include a son, Steven of Hesston; two daughters, Rochelle Augspurger of Bloomington, Ill., and Marti Tuck of Erie; a sister, Ruby Kaufman of Moundridge; and 12 grandchildren.

Services were held at Eden Mennonite Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Jan 19 p. 8

text of obituary:

LEO L. MILLER

Leo L. Miller, 77, of Moundridge, Kan., died Jan. 3, 2004. He was born June 16, 1926, to Ben P. and Marie (Mueller) Miller in Freeman, S.D.

After graduating from Freeman Academy, he served in Civilian Public Service in Boulder, Bolo., and later as a mutual aid administrative assistant in Akron, Pa., with Mennonite Central Committee.

After two years at Freeman Junior College, he attended Bethel College in North Newton and received his bachelor’s degree in 1950. With the call to ministry came two years at Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

He married Lola L. Goering on Aug. 15, 1952. He then was pastor at Beatrice (Neb.) Mennonite Church as a nine-month interim.

After completing seminary studies in 1954, he pastored Goessel Mennonite Church, First Mennonite Church of Beatrice, Neb., First Mennonite Church of Reedley, Calif., Meadows Mennonite Church of Chenoa, Ill., and West Swamp Mennonite Church of Quakertown, Pa. All these communities were very different, and each provided unique and culturally diverse experiences. Working for God as a pastor, in his quiet and mild-mannered way, was a great joy for him.

Music was an important part of his life, singing in quartets, choirs, men’s choruses and ensembles as long as health would allow. Other special interests were photography and gardening.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1992. His retirement years were spent in Chenoa, Ill., and Moundridge.

Survivors include his wife, Lola; three children, Rochelle Augspurger of Normal, Ill., Steve Miller and his wife, Marcia, of Hesston, and Marti Tuck and her husband, Doug, of Erie; a sister, Ruby Kaufman; and 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Orlando; and two sisters, Esther Miller and Selma Preheim.

Memorial services were held at Eden Mennonite Church of Moundridge. Burial was in the church cemetery.