Max T. Miller

Max T. Miller, age 93 of New Philadelphia, died early Sunday morning, November 29, 2009, surrounded by his family, following a brief period of declining health.A son of the late John Henry and Clela (McDermott) Miller, Max was born September 5, 1916, at New Philadelphia in the family residence on the second floor of the old Miller Studio Store Building. As a youth Max raised laying hens and sold their eggs to supplement the family’s income. He also raised rabbits, which he showed at numerous County Fairs throughout the state, amassing many ribbons and trophies.In 1934, following his graduation from New Philadelphia High School, along with his parents and two brothers, Max helped to form the well-known Fair Avenue business, Miller Studio Inc. In the early years of the company Max managed the gift store, where many people still remember buying dishware and hand painted items made by Max’s mother. Max would often use the family car or truck to travel to many of the once prominent pottery companies throughout the state to supply the store with quality merchandise.During World War II, Max served his country as a Staff Sergeant and Medic in the 94th Infantry Medical Corps in the European Theater. In the early 1960’s Max became president of the fast growing company he and his family had developed. It was under his leadership that Miller Studio grew into MPI (Miller Products Inc.) with factories from California to Connecticut manufacturing an array of diversified products. Always the curious businessman he would regularly stop by Miller Studio to visit the business he helped create and to see what new and exciting things were taking place. Never really retiring, he was active until his illness prevented these regular visits. He was a member of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church at Dover. In 1959, during his tenure as President of the Church Council, he was instrumental in building the present church facilities and regularly attended until September of this year.Having been successful in business, Max generously gave back to his church, his community and helped many individuals on a personal basis. Always involved, Max was a Director of Trumpet in the Land in the 1970’s and was a past member of the National Houseware Show Board of Directors. Max’s philanthropic endeavors include building the teen social center Park Place at New Philadelphia’s Tuscora Park, the Skate Park, located by the New Philadelphia Waterworks Ball Fields, the Quaker Stadium Band Shell and Union Hospital’s Obstetrics Wing. Max was also instrumental in the founding and funding of the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation.Max had a witty sense of humor and always had a ready pun. He enjoyed traveling the world and documenting those trips with hundreds of thousands of photographs which he enjoyed giving copies of to family and friends alike. Max was recognized with the Tuscarawas County Historical Society’s Zeisberger-Heckewelder Award in 1986, the Grace Lutheran Church Founders Award, The New Philadelphia Quaker Foundation Alumnus of the Year Award in 2000 and served as the Grand Marshal of the New Philadelphia Christmas Parade in 2005. His family, friends and the community of Tuscarawas County will sadly miss him and the impact he had on everyone’s life.He is survived by his four children, Dr. Terry (Dr. Sara) Miller of Kent, Ohio, Judy Garza of Oakland, California, Ellen Matics and Jeff (Susan) Miller all of Dover. Nine grandchildren, Sonia (Robert) Srichai of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Esther (Bob) Thatcher of Charlottesville, Virginia, Jason (Sophia) Garza of Oakland, California, Janelle Miller of Dover, Jacinda (Tori) Williams of Roanoke, Virginia, Josiah (Ashley Marra) Miller, Jenna Miller, Ann and Matt Matics all of Dover and thirteen great- grandchildren complete the family.In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his wife Anna Lou (Ellis) Miller, two brothers, Robert and Richard Miller, two sisters-in-law, Audrey Miller and Ruth Miller (Dickerson), one granddaughter Janeen Victoria Miller and his second wife Erma (Foutz) Miller.The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 3, 2009, from 2:00 – 8:00 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover and again one hour prior to services on Friday, December 4, 2009, from 10 â?? 11 AM in Grace Lutheran Church, 216 North Wooster Avenue, Dover. Rev. Dr. William C. Haggis and the Rev. Lee Eilert will celebrate a funeral service in Grace Lutheran Church on Friday, December 4, 2009, at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia where members of the Carl C. Stoller Post 1445 of the New Philadelphia VFW will perform military honors. Friends are invited to share refreshments and fellowship with the family in Luther Hall at Grace Lutheran Church at Dover immediately following the committal service.The family requests that memorial contributions in Max’s name may be directed to the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, P.O. Box 92, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to Cats ‘N’ Us, P.O. Box 832, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.