Sept. 3, 1924
May 11, 2008

Dr. G. Ken Miller, 83, of Van Wert, died at 5:08 a.m. Sunday at Van Wert County Hospital.
He was born Sept. 3, 1924, in Van Wert, to George and Dorothy (Brouse) Kenneth Miller, Sr.
On Jan. 25, 1947, he married Thelma Kindley, who survives.
Other survivors include children Dr. Timothy (Linda) Miller of Ottawa, Kristine (Kenneth) Minnich of Van Wert, Kenneth (Jane) Miller of Fort Jennings and Dr. Dennis (Cheryl) Miller and Pamela (John) Wannemacher of Van Wert; brother Martin (Martha) Miller of East Palm Harbor, Fla.; sister Patricia (Tom) Bodell of Waynesfield; 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Clint Miller.
Dr. Miller was a World War II veteran of the United States Marine Corps, who was twice awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained on Iwo Jima. He enlisted prior to graduating from high school. He graduated from St. John’s High School in 1944, where he played four years on the varsity basketball team. After the war, he graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago with a doctor of optometry degree. He was a third-generation optometrist who practiced in Delphos before relocating to Van Wert in 1950. In 1959, he built a new office on West Main Street in Van Wert which is still operated by his son.
His memberships included St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, American Legion Post 178, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, 3rd Marine Division Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Knights of Columbus, was a life member of the Elks Lodge and a former Rotarian. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and extremely proud of his country and the Marine Corps.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, the Rev. Michael Zacharias officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery with military rites by the combined American Legion and VFW Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Cowan and Son Funeral Home, where a rosary service will begin at 8 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to the American Heart Association, the church or Van Wert County Hospital.