Merle Milton Miller
Merle Milton Miller, 87, of the Kingsville/Holden area took the hand of Jesus peacefully and entered Heaven on February 4, 2025, in his home.
He was born on July 23, 1937, in Knob Noster, MO, to Floyd Lee and Mildred Marlene Miller. The eldest of five children, Merle grew up with a strong sense of faith, family, and hard work.
On June 1, 1959, Merle married the love of his life, Patsy Mae Austin. Together, they built a loving home and raised three wonderful daughters.
As a devout Christian, Merle understood the importance of a relationship with the Heavenly Father. He was an active member and Deacon of New Hope Baptist Church in Holden, MO. His faith guided his life, and he found great joy in serving his church and community.
Merle dedicated many years to his work, notably at the Holden Water Department and later spending 29 years at Western Electric/AT&T as a shipping clerk and then as a department supervisor. Beyond his professional career, he was the proud owner of Miller’s Wooly Acres for 56 years, where he cultivated a love for raising animals, particularly sheep, and growing crops for family and friends.
His passion for craftsmanship and heritage was evident in his involvement with the Spinner’s Guild, where he demonstrated wool dyeing, looming with his own wool, and even paper-making. Merle had a deep appreciation for antique tractors and enjoyed attending tractor shows in Chilhowee. His skills extended to woodworking, small engine repair, and locksmithing, hobbies that brought him joy and fulfillment throughout his life.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Mildred Miller; his brother, Lee Miller; his sister, Marlene Ellison; his beloved daughter, Angela Cherri Roberson; and his great-grandson, Kamron Bowman.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Patsy Miller; his sister, Deloris Pope of Chilhowee, MO; his brother, Tommy Miller (Luann) of Jacksonville, FL; sister-in-law Helen Miller Nichols of Chilhowee, MO; his daughter, Annette Christine Bowman (Terry) of Gladstone, MO with great-great-grandchildren Faith and Emily; grandchildren David Bowman (Brooke) with great-grandchildren Thoran, Genevieve, and Finnegan of Gladstone, MO; grandchildren Josh Bowman (Rachel) with great-grandson Tristan of Pleasant Valley, MO; great-great granddaughter Maria Miller-Bowman of Liberty, MO; daughter, Anna Cathline Stark of Warsaw, MO; grandchildren Anthony Smithson of Kingsville, MO; Isaiah Stark (Holly) of Holden, MO with great-grandchildren Kierstin (Zac) of Hannibal, MO and Cooper of Holden, MO; grandchildren Angelica Warren (Tyler) with great-grandchildren Mason and Lydia of Holden, MO. As well as many other friends and family.
Merle’s life was a testament to faith, hard work, and love for his family and community. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 16 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden, with interment to follow at Carpenter Cemetery, near Chilhowee. The family will receive friends, one hour prior to service, Sunday at Williams.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Carpenter Cemetery Association in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net
