Obituary - Richard Miller - Elkhart Lions Club
PDG Paul Russell
Obituary - Richard Paul Miller
Richard Paul Miller,101, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, March 13, at 5:48 a.m. in his home of natural causes.
He is survived by his five children, Timothy (Paula) Miller, Frisco, TX; Patrick (Alice) Miller, Surf City, N.C.; Thomas (Heather) Miller, Cassopolis, MI; Peter Miller, Elkhart; and Leslie (Jim) Smith, Elkhart.
In addition to his children, Dick is survived by eight grandchildren and three step-grandchildren, as well as nine great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
In 2009, Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Jean (Diener) Miller, whom he married on June 21, 1947, in the Garrett Chapel at Northwestern University, where Jean received her college degree just three days prior. While his married life may have begun on that day, Dick came into this world on Jan. 14, 1925, in Elkhart, as the only child of Joe D. and Helen J. (Yerkes) Miller. He graduated from Elkhart High School in January of 1943 and went on to serve as a Navy lieutenant on the USS PCS-1413 during WWII. As part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program, Dick was then able to earn a degree in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame in 1948. His first project out of college was as a job captain on the design of North Side Gym with the South Bend architecture firm Maurer & Maurer. In the ensuing years, he went into partnership with Charles Wiley, forming Wiley & Miller, and concluded his architectural career in partnership with Tom Keene, forming K/M & Associates. Upon retirement from this profession, Dick helped form a family business, Trucker’s Helper, Inc., assisting in small part right up to his final years.
Dick was also quite involved in the community. In addition to being a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite, he was formerly active in the Lions Club and Trinity United Methodist Church. Joining Trinity in 1967, not only did Dick participate in numerous Bible study classes throughout the years, he also donated his architectural talents to the design of the church’s chapel. Many, however, may remember him best as a dedicated Scout Leader with BSA Troop #103. In this capacity, he traveled the worldwide with his troop in the “big, green bus”--exploring caves in southern Indiana, backpacking through the deserts of Moab, hiking along the Appalachian Trail and across Isle Royale, and even traveling across Europe as part of a two-week adventure to England, France, and Germany. It is no wonder that BSA’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award, was bestowed upon him and that so many of his former Scouts continued to visit with him right until his death. However, his greatest accomplishments in life were in his devotion to both God and his family.
A Funeral Service with military honors for Dick will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 21, 2026 with Pastor Jeremy Sarber officiating. A one-hour viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am before the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery in Goshen.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the family.
For those that wish to send a condolence, share a memory or order flowers may do so at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
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