John R. Miller, 73, of 119 Oakwood Drive, St. Marys, died at 5:15 a.m. July 10, 2008, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.

He was born Oct. 29, 1934, in Circleville to J. Ray and Gladys Smith Miller. His wife Merilee Metzger Miller survives at the residence. His former wife, Carole Steele Miller, survives in St. Marys.

Also surviving are three sons, J. Martin (Traci) and Brent (Michele), all of St. Marys, and Kent (Mary), New Knoxville; two stepsons, Christopher (Connie) Walter, Celina, and Donald Walter, Warner Robbins, Ga.; two stepdaughters, Patricia (Thomas) Kaster, Chicago, Ill., and Catherine (Thomas) Kittle, Madison, Wisc.; seven grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren.

Deceased is a daughter, Marcia, and a sister, Shirley Sumpter Montandon.

He was funeral director and co-owner of Miller Funeral Home and Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Homes in St. Marys and Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home in New Knoxville. He was a 1953 graduate of Memorial High School, St. Marys, and a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean Conflict.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge, all of St. Marys, the Disabled American Veterans, the Mercer Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, the Auglaize-Mercer Shrine Club and the Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton. He also was a member of the Western Ohio Photography Club and the Third District Ohio Funeral Director Association. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moulton.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Joy Miller officiating. Burial, with military rites, is at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the church.

Condolences can be left at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.