Jenna Ann Miller

Jenna Ann Miller, 27, a loving daughter, mother, friend, and kindred-spirit, passed away Monday morning, July 22, 2013. Although the exact cause of her death is unknown at this time, her ongoing struggle with a heroin addiction and having been very ill from pleurisy may have contributed to her passing.

Born June 20, 1986, Jenna was a blessing to her parents, Jeff and Susan (Smith) Miller. As a child, her heart for animals and passion for horses was evident in her care for Gidget and Scooter, the horses she loved to train, ride, and show. She was an active teenager who participated for many years in the 4-H club and county fair as she dreamed of one day becoming a horse trainer.

Following her 2004 graduation from Dover High School, where she participated in a variety of activities including band and track, Jenna continued her studies at The Cleveland Institute of Art and at the Meredith Manor in West Virginia where she pursued a study in equestrian science.

During her adult life, she worked for Berry Fit applying sequins, rhinestones, and crystals to custom equestrian wear; for Breitenbach Wine Cellars; and most recently for her family’s business, Miller Studio Inc., as a graphic designer, where she put her artistic and creative gifts to wonderful use.

Jenna was a former member of Grace Lutheran Church in Dover and has been a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in New Philadelphia where she worshipped with her mother and aunt.

Jenna’s love for life was hindered by the addiction which she struggled to conquer. In the midst of her personal turmoil, she developed a strong desire to educate others about the reality of drugs. This desire and her ability to articulate her feelings, enabled Jenna to join with Anita Davis and others in the creation of a beautiful educational video about drug addiction. To better understand Jenna’s dark path, please view her lasting efforts at educating the public by visiting www.zachsstory.com.

She will be deeply missed by her parents; her siblings, Janelle (fiancé, Malcolm Ritchie) Miller of Dover, Jacinda (Tori) Williams of Virginia, and Josiah (Ashley) Miller of Dover; her daughter, Janeane Alexandra Squires; her companion, Jason Squires; her aunts and uncles, Naomi (Art) Downend of New Philadelphia, Ellen Matics of Dover, Judy Garza of California, and Terry (Sara) Miller of Kent; her cousins, Ann and Matthew Matics, Sonia Srichai, Esther Thatcher, Jason Garza, Debbie Thompson, and Danny and Dwayne Hilton; niece and nephews, Evalyn and Rowan Williams, Ethan Belknap, and Benjamin Miller; her friend she thought of as a brother, Scott Belknap of Dover; her best friend, Blake Norman: and countless supportive friends.

In addition to her maternal grandparents, Bud and Evalyn Smith, and paternal grandparents, Max and Anna Miller, Jenna was preceded in death by an infant sister, Janeen Victoria Miller, and her uncle, Danny Hilton.

Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover, 5600 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, OH 44622 on Friday July 26th from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. A church council service will commence at 7:45 p.m. A service celebrating Jenna’s life will be held in the funeral home on Saturday July 27th beginning at 10:30 a.m. with The Revs. Stephen Patrick and William Haggis co-officiating. Burial will follow in Dover Burial Park.

Friends and family are invited back to Geib’s hospitality center located inside the funeral home where a meal will be shared following the committal service.

To honor Jenna’s love for animals, contributions in her memory may be directed to either the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, 6895 Dover Zoar Road NE, Dover, OH 44622; or Operation Warm and Cozy, 114 East High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663; or to Pathway to Wellness Recovery Center, P. O. Box 572, Dover, OH 44622.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Jenna by visiting the funeral home website at www.GeibCares.com.