Phyllis Jean Miller

Phyllis Jean Miller, age 96, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, December 29, 2022, while in the care of Community Hospice’s Truman House at New Philadelphia.

Born in Denton, Texas on June 25, 1926, Phyllis was a daughter of the late Thomas C. and Edith Shields Shuler.

She was a 1944 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and a 1948 graduate of Miami University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in English and was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. On June 19, 1948, the day following her college graduation, Phyllis married the love of her life, Robert W. Miller.  They celebrated 64 years of marriage prior to Bob’s passing on October 6, 2012.

Bob’s job took them to Indiana and together they raised a family of three daughters. Phyllis was a valued member of the community, including Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, President of the PTA, and President of the local Tri Delta chapter. Together they enjoyed building friendships and hosting gatherings. They were known for their Christmas tradition of making hard tack candy, hand-crafted gifts, and hosting a lively Christmas party, traditions that continued when they returned to New Philadelphia in 1971.

The couple was delighted to move home and reunite with family and life-long friends. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of New Philadelphia, where she held numerous leadership positions through the years. Among other pastimes, she also enjoyed her membership in the Junior Clionian Society. Phyllis was instrumental in helping Bob form and manage Industrial Finishers until 1987 when they retired. During the following years, the couple traveled with friends and spent the winter months in Naples, Florida. In the summer, she looked forward to family visits when everyone walked to Tuscora Park to spend hours at the playground and on the rides.

Phyllis will be deeply missed by her daughters, Gail (Steve) Garrison of Chillicothe, Illinois, and Carol (Dennis) Smith of Columbus; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Henson, Scott Reed, Brian (Christi) Garrison, Jill (Mike) McKinney, Laura (Aaron) Hanlon, Elaine (David) Vukadinovich, and Jennifer (Ken) Snyder; 13 great-grandchildren, Kendall, Grant and Blake Henson, Harper, Dylan, and Charlotte Garrison, Gabriella and Lucy McKinney, Theodore Hanlon, Ethan and William Snyder, and Sophia and Hayden Vukadinovich, as well as nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Jean (Carl) Reed; a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas (Janice) Shuler; and a sister and brother-in-law, Leetta (Jim) Herndon.

In keeping with her wishes, the family will hold a private gathering at a later date where Phyllis will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. The Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia is handling cremation care.

The family is grateful for the love and care provided by close friends and the caregivers at Park Village and the Truman House.

Memorial contributions in Phyllis’ name may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 217 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to RTY Inc., 161 Tuscora Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.