Larry L. Miller

Larry Miller was a hardworking family man through and through. He had a heart of gold, was a great storyteller and loved traveling the great United States. He was great at fixing and repairing just about anything and almost always was working on a project. Having never graduated high school, he was quite intelligent and could put any Trivial Pursuit challenger to shame. His natural charm, his dedication to his family and his great stories will be deeply missed by many.

The 1940s were characterized by WWII. Through the courage and dedication of those who fought, much of this decade was a battle for a way of life that the country and western powers had spent two centuries building. By 1947, some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years to come were created, including the Transistor and the Mobile Phone. That same year, Larry was born to local Larwill farmers, Willis E. and Mildred (Ross) Milleron November 18at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Joining his two older sisters Nancy and Elizabeth, Larry brought his parents great joy.

Growing up as the only boy on the familys farm, he had the typical chores that kept him quite busy. When the work day was through however, he loved exploring the farms 700 acres. Hed often go down to the creek and fish with his Aunt Julia in the warm summer afternoons and during the cold winter months, he loved sledding down the snowy hills. Larry attended local schools, including Larwill High School where he met his sweetheart, Deborah Kile. The two of them were eager to start a family and married. Together they raised four wonderful children; Candy, Wendy, Keith and Cheryl. Supporting their young family, Larry worked at various jobs before landing a position with Dana Corporation in 1966. Sadly, in 1986, his wife Deborah passed away suddenly.

A few years later, Larry met Norma (Dimmick) Hackworth. Norma brought back much happiness into Larrys life and the two of them were married at Normas home in Collamar on December 6, 1991. They lived in Larwill and Collamer while their new home was being built on River Road in South Whitley. They remained living in their first home together until six years ago when they moved to their current home that they also had built together. Larry had many favorite pastimes, but none more than traveling around in his travel trailer which he later traded in for staying in motels. Mostly while traveling, Larry enjoyed taking in the scenery and was never in a hurry to get anywhere. He relished in taking the longer routes from time to time just to see the views. National parks and many museums where his favorite destinations, especially any place out West. During his first trip to the Carolinas, he wore his usual boots and long pants. It didnt take him long to notice and much to his familys surprise he went out and bought himself a pair of shorts and shoes. Over the years on his returning trips, he even traded in those tennis shoes for a pair of flip flops and regularly sported a year round tan!

Larry loved having a red, supercharged 1991 Ford Thunderbird that he drove around, but nothing stirred his heart more than the time he spent with his wife, children and his grandchildren. His dry sense of humor, his laughter and his special way of making everyone feel loved will be deeply missed. Larry leaves behind a legacy of loving life and enjoying all the world has to offer. Sadly, he passed away and his wonderful collection of memories will live on in the hearts of his special family and many close friends.

Larry L. Miller, 68, of South Whitley, Indiana, passed awayFriday evening, October 14, 2016 at his home. He retired from Dana Corporation with over 40 years of service in 2007.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Norma Miller of South Whitley; children, Candy (Robert) Jenkins, of Gallatin, Tennessee, Wendy (Steve) Hernandez, of Bloomington, Keith Miller, of Saudi Arabia and Cheryl Hoagland, of Laverne,Tennessee; step-children, Randall (Cherie) Hackworth, of Brownsburg and Brenda Thompson, of South Whitley; sister, Elizabeth Wood, of Tempe, Arizona; and 7 grandchildren, James Miller, Danielle Miller, Clayton Hoagland, Kaleb Hoagland, Dylan Thompson, Chloe Thompson, and Mallory Hackworth. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Deborah (Kile) Miller; and sister, Nancy Waldeck.

Visitation is4-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2016at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be10 a.m. Wednesdayat the funeral home with Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus officiating. Burial will follow at Eberhard Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home or Multiple Sclerosis Society. To send family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com