Obituary for James B. Miller
The Rev. James B. Miller, 97, of Reinholds, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital.
He was born in Lansford, PA, son of the late Stephen E. and Edith A. (Bulmer) Miller and was the husband of the late Mary Jane (Showalter) Miller who passed away in 2021. They had celebrated 72 years of marriage on October 23, 2020.
Pastor Miller graduated from Lansford High School in 1943. He then went to Muhlenberg College and graduated with a B.A. Degree in Psychology and Religion. From there he went to Mt. Airy Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia. Pastor Miller graduated in May of 1949 and received a Master of Divinity Degree and was ordained on May 18th at Buck Hill Falls in the Poconos. He celebrated his 75th anniversary of his ordination on May 18, 2023.
During the last two years of his studies at Mt. Airy he interned at Swamp Lutheran Church in Reinholds, Mellingers Lutheran in Schoeneck and Salem Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Following his graduation from the seminary he was called to the Cross Roads Lutheran Parish in Sunbury, PA. After 8-1/2 years he was called to St. Daniel's Lutheran Church in Robesonia, PA, after 19-1/2 years he was called to Christ Yocom's Lutheran Church in Grill, PA, where he stayed for 20 years. He then pastored at Vinemont Community Lutheran, Fritztown, PA, until his 2nd retirement in 1996. Pastor Miller also served as visitation Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sinking Spring, PA, for 10-1/2 years.
Pastor Miller had done graduate work at Penn State University, Gettysburg College, and the University of West Virginia. He served on boards of the former Central PA Synod as well as the Northeastern PA Synod. He served for a number of years as chairman of the Commission on the Union Church. He is listed in Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in Religion, and the Platform Speakers of America. He also served as Chaplain of AFSCME Retiree Union 8903.
When he was no longer out on the road seeking his Lost Sheep and trying to get them back in the fold, he spent his retirement playing harp, carving birds, and attending craft shows to keep busy.
Pastor Miller is survived by a son, James D., husband of Mary Ann Miller of Reinholds; a granddaughter, Katherine Miller, and twin grandsons, James and Joshua Miller; 3 great-grandchildren. Clayton, Wyatt and Evie Miller.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Faye Lorraine Reese and her husband, Col. Alfred L. Reese.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 10 to 11 AM at the Swamp Lutheran Church, 275 Swamp Church Road, Reinholds, PA 17569. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM, with Pastor Scott V. Brubaker officiating. Interment will take place in the Fairview Cemetery Annex.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in James's memory may be made to Swamp Lutheran Church at the above address.
Arrangements by Roseboro Stradling Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Denver.
He was born in Lansford, PA, son of the late Stephen E. and Edith A. (Bulmer) Miller and was the husband of the late Mary Jane (Showalter) Miller who passed away in 2021. They had celebrated 72 years of marriage on October 23, 2020.
Pastor Miller graduated from Lansford High School in 1943. He then went to Muhlenberg College and graduated with a B.A. Degree in Psychology and Religion. From there he went to Mt. Airy Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia. Pastor Miller graduated in May of 1949 and received a Master of Divinity Degree and was ordained on May 18th at Buck Hill Falls in the Poconos. He celebrated his 75th anniversary of his ordination on May 18, 2023.
During the last two years of his studies at Mt. Airy he interned at Swamp Lutheran Church in Reinholds, Mellingers Lutheran in Schoeneck and Salem Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Following his graduation from the seminary he was called to the Cross Roads Lutheran Parish in Sunbury, PA. After 8-1/2 years he was called to St. Daniel's Lutheran Church in Robesonia, PA, after 19-1/2 years he was called to Christ Yocom's Lutheran Church in Grill, PA, where he stayed for 20 years. He then pastored at Vinemont Community Lutheran, Fritztown, PA, until his 2nd retirement in 1996. Pastor Miller also served as visitation Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sinking Spring, PA, for 10-1/2 years.
Pastor Miller had done graduate work at Penn State University, Gettysburg College, and the University of West Virginia. He served on boards of the former Central PA Synod as well as the Northeastern PA Synod. He served for a number of years as chairman of the Commission on the Union Church. He is listed in Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in Religion, and the Platform Speakers of America. He also served as Chaplain of AFSCME Retiree Union 8903.
When he was no longer out on the road seeking his Lost Sheep and trying to get them back in the fold, he spent his retirement playing harp, carving birds, and attending craft shows to keep busy.
Pastor Miller is survived by a son, James D., husband of Mary Ann Miller of Reinholds; a granddaughter, Katherine Miller, and twin grandsons, James and Joshua Miller; 3 great-grandchildren. Clayton, Wyatt and Evie Miller.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Faye Lorraine Reese and her husband, Col. Alfred L. Reese.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 10 to 11 AM at the Swamp Lutheran Church, 275 Swamp Church Road, Reinholds, PA 17569. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM, with Pastor Scott V. Brubaker officiating. Interment will take place in the Fairview Cemetery Annex.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in James's memory may be made to Swamp Lutheran Church at the above address.
Arrangements by Roseboro Stradling Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Denver.