Zola M. Miller

Zola M. Miller, age 80, of New Philadelphia died peacefully Wednesday, December 19, 2007 in Aultman Hospital at Canton, Ohio surrounded by her family following a courageous seven month battle with cancer.Zola was born on October 18, 1927 in Union Hospital at Dover to the late James C. and Virginia Mendini Marinelli. A graduate of New Philadelphia High School’s class of 1945, Zola later met the love of her life, Robert Miller. The couple was married on September 4, 1948 in Greenup, Kentucky.”Family First!” is the motto Zola lived by all her life setting a precedence of hard work, friendship and respect for others that her family will carry on. Zola worked for the City of New Philadelphia for over ten years, retiring in December of 1983 as the Municipal Court’s bookkeeper.Mrs. Miller was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia where she was a member of the Altar Society. In addition, Zola was a member of the Ladies Christian Benevolent Association and a member of the Flake Club for more than 45 years. In addition to all of her other activities, Zola loved to dance and would never turn down the opportunity to be around others. It did not matter where she went, but Zola was always known as the life of the party; lighting up a room with her warm and infectious personality and befriending everyone she came in contact with. She was a lover of all types of outdoor birds but was truly infatuated with Ohio’s State bird, the Cardinal. Zola is survived by her husband of nearly sixty years, Robert; 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. In addition, two brothers, Donald Marinelli and Robert Marinelli and his wife Erma; a special sister in law, Mary Marinelli also survive. Also surviving are her 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 she was quite proud.In addition to her parents, those who precede Zola in death are two brothers, Louis Marinelli and James Marinelli.The family will receive friends on Friday, December 21, 2007 from 4:00 Â? 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A service celebrating Zola’s life will be concelebrated by Monsignor George J. Schlegel and Father Ed Keck in the Funeral Home’s Chapel on Saturday, December 22, 2007 beginning at 10:00 AM with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia.Those unable to attend visitation or services may send the family a personal condolence by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society 201-A West Ohio Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622.Linn-Hert-Geibwww.geibfuneral.com330-343-5506