WOOSTER Merle Joe Miller, 77, of Wooster passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017 at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster.
He was born November 28, 1939 in Holmes County, the son of Otto O. and Oreda Hannah Lautenschleger Miller. He married Jannette Louise Schaum on July 23, 1966. She survives.
Joe graduated from Wooster High School in 1958 and The Ohio State University in 1963. He spent several years with General Tire and Rubber Co. as a Field Auditor and later as the manager of an accounts receivable department. For 35 years he was Vice President of Sales for Santmyer Oil Company. He also was a sales agent for Sonnenberg Mutual Insurance Co. Later in life, Joe founded and operated a State Certified Continuing Education School. Joe trained hundreds of individuals in the removal and installation of underground fuel storage tanks.
He was active in politics and proud of the fact that he was a fifth generation democrat. In 1992 he ran for County Commissioner and later ran for State Representative.
Joe worked very hard for our community. He was an early board member of People to People Ministries and has worked hard to help it grow to its present size. As an early board member of Habitat for Humanity, he aided in the moving of multiple houses in Wooster. Joe was a Charter member of the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network. He has spent considerable time on local projects to protect our environment. He has always enjoyed history and was on the board of the Wayne County Historical Society. Joe is also an author and wrote a book Before Turn Signals and Permanent Antifreeze that tells the history of the gas stations in Wooster. He was also active in the Trinity United Church of Christ.
His hobbies included watching his grandchildren in their various sports and he was also a collector of auto gas station memorabilia.
In addition to his wife, Janette, he is survived by his children, Steve (Veronica) Miller, and Sharon (Hoss) Allison both of Wooster; his grandchildren, Dylan, Nik and Emily Allison and Clay and Samuel Miller; his siblings, Evelyn Manchester and Donna Caldwell of Wooster, Helen Sapp of Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert W., Painter G., Dean and Marion Barney .
Friends will be received at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 5-8:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity United Church of Christ, 150 E. North St., Wooster with the Rev. Dr. Kevan Franklin Officiating. Private family burial will be held at the Prairie Township Cemetery in Holmesville.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to The Trinity United Church of Christ or LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
Trinity United Church of Christ, 150 E. North St., Wooster, OH 44691 or LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691
Service
Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity United Church of Christ, 150 E. North St., Wooster
Visitation
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home
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