Robert Eldene Miller

Robert Eldene Miller, age 87, of New Philadelphia died peacefully, Wednesday, January 22, 2014, in Park Village Retirement Center at Dover following a brief period of declining health.

Born at Holmesville, Ohio on June 12, 1926, Bob, as he was best known to family and friends, was a son of the late Richard and Hazel (McBride) Miller.

From 1944-1946, He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy. As a member of the Landing Craft Support Team, a 156 foot vessel which held 65 men and five officers, Bob Served along the other “Mighty Midgets” as a Plank Member of the U.S.S LCS 120 as part of her commissioning crew. He once shared that his crew was picked up in the Boston Harbor and taken to Tokyo and at one point they were involved in the Battle of Okinawa. Years later, Bob kept in contact with his Navy buddies through his involvement with the U.S.S. LCS 1- 130 Association, as a charter member, and by attending numerous reunions throughout the United States with other LCS Chapters.

Professionally, Bob spent 36 years with the Ohio Department of Transportation where he was employed as a draftsman and retired on December 31, 1983.

Bob looked forward spending time with his family, having managed his son’s baseball team when they were younger and being with his friends of the Flake Club. He held lifetime memberships with the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E 510 and the Carl C. Stoller Post 1445 of the New Philadelphia VFW and for many years kept an active membership with the American Legion Post 551 at Holmesville.

He will be greatly missed by his family two sons, J. Douglas Miller and his wife Jennifer of West Jefferson, Ohio, Richard Miller and his wife Jessie of New Philadelphia; a daughter, Virginia “Ginger” Risinger and her husband Dan of New Philadelphia and a sister, Carol Jamison, of Holmesville.

Also surviving are his five grandchildren, Chad (Jen) Miller, Tracey (Chad) Stratton, Jason (Leslie) Miller, Lindy Jo Miller, and Angela (Ron) Fisher; nine great-grandchildren, Jace Miller, Makaila Rhoads, Nathan Stratton, Baylie Miller, Ethan Miller, Brianna Fisher, Brooklyn Fisher, Julia Miller, and Ava Miller, all of whom he was quite proud.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, of nearly 60 years, the former Zola Marinelli, whom he married on September 4, 1948; an infant sister, two sisters, Janice Patterson and Fern Edwards; and a brother, Richard Douglas.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia, where an Elks Lodge Service will begin at 5:00 PM. Father Jeff Coning and Celebrant, Nathan Douglas will lead a service celebrating Bob’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Monday at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia where members of the New Philadelphia VFW will render military honors. Following services, all are invited to the Geib Family, adjacent to the funeral home, for a meal and fellowship.

Memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.