Miller, Solomon J. (1891-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jul 19 p. 8

Birth date: 1891 Jun 1

text of obituary:

SOL. J. MILLER

Sol. J. Miller, son of Preacher John A. and Delilah (Kaufman) Miller, was born near Hubbard, Oregon, June 1, 1891 and died at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa, June 14, 1956, at the age of 65 years and 13 days.

His death was due to a very severe heart attack which he suffered less than two days before. Shortly after this illness came upon him he was taken by ambulance to the hospital and there everything possible on the part of both doctors and nurses was done tor elive his condition, but all to no avail.

When he was still a small child his family moved to Illinois and a few years later to Weatherford, Oklahoma. Here he grew to manhood and united with the Old Order Amish Mennonite church. When yet a single man he came to Iowa and on Dec. 7, 1915, at the home of his brother-in-law, Joseph G. Gingerich, was married to Betha Beachy. This was the first couple married by Bishop Isaac Helmuth.

To this union three children were born, Floyd, Keota, Ia., Fannie, wife of Raymond J. Byler, Altha, Florida, and Ivan of Kansas City, Kansas.

Surviving him are his wife Bertha, the three children and 12 grandchildren and also the following brothers and sisters: Jacob J. and Mattie (widow of the late Jacob J. Yoder) Kalona, Iowa, Rebecca (wife of John J. S. Yoder) Middlebury, Indiana, Dan J. S. and Anna (wife of Ben Detwiler) Wellman, Iowa, Fred of St. Louis, Mo., and Chris, Wellman, Iowa.

Soon after their marriage he and his companion united with the Upper Deer Creek congregation near Wellman, Iowa, where he was a faithful member at the time of his death.

He served a number of terms as superintendent of the Sunday School, both in the main room and in the primary department. He also served on various other church committees and a time or two on a committee of arbitration. He was a great lover of children and it was not unusual to see them coming to him for the little gifts which he usually had for them. Seldom was his place in the church found empty. He was always solicitous for the welfare of others, rather than looking to the needs of his own and never wanting to be a burden to anyone else.

Services were held at the Upper Deer Creek church Saturday afternoon, June 16, 1956. Conducted at the home by Albert S. Miller and at the church by Morris Swartzendruber and Elmer G. Swartzendruber. Scriptures read and texts used were John 14, Psa. 1 and 23, Eccl. 8:5-8. Burial in Upper Deer Creek cemetery.