Merle H. Miller, Jr.

Merle Hamilton Miller, Jr.

Merle H. Miller, Jr., 86, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2017. He was born in Indianapolis on August 2, 1931 to the late Merle H. Miller, Sr. and Dorothy Miller. He is preceded in death by his wife and companion, Becky Richardson, whom he lost March 31, 2017.

Merle graduated in 1949 from Park School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He spent the summer prior to his graduation at the Culver Military Summer School, in Culver, Indiana, where he was a member of the highly regarded Black Horse Troop. Merle went on to attend DePauw university in Greencastle, Indiana. He was a member of Delta Chi fraternity and receive his bachelor’s degree in economics from DePauw in 1953. He was drafted into the Army after college and served overseas in Germany.

Merle worked as a registered stock broker and enjoyed the relationships he established with the variety of people he met throughout his career. Outside of work, Merle was an active member of North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. He loved singing as part of the Shepherd’s Singers and enjoyed the friendships that came with it. Merle is also remembered as husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Merle married Becky in 1985, expanding his family by volumes.

Traveling was a favorite pastime for both Merle and Becky. They took trips with their grandchildren and sometimes let the kids’ parents come along. They explored many parts of the United States and made friends on several continents. Merle was an avid sports fan whether it was his grandchildren, the Colts or Pacers playing. When Becky’s quilting group had their retreat at Lake Maxinkuckee, Merle retreated to another room where he could watch sports on TV. But, he secretly enjoyed being the only man in the house, and the delicious food at the end of the day.

Merle’s love of sports wasn’t limited to the sidelines. He continued his regular visits to the gym into his 80s. He was a lifeguard in his earlier years, making him a perfect swimming companion for his grandkids. Merle is also remembered as a kind and loving person. He was there for his family through thick and thin. His caring for others knew no bounds. He joined the suicide prevention hotline and volunteered at the soup kitchen managed by his church. He recognized no differences in people — male, female, African-American, Asian, Hispanic, straight or LGBTQ.

Even as his health deteriorated, his sense of humor and his love for others never diminished. It was easy for him to make new friends at the nursing home among the residents and staff. They appreciated his humor and expressed their love for him.

Merle is preceded in death by his parents, Merle H. Miller, Sr. and Dorothy Miller and his wife of 32 years, Rebecca (Becky) C. Richardson. He is survived by his sons, Gregg H. Miller (Malinda Aston), Eric W. Miller (Lori) and Thomas G. Miller; sister, Terry Mumford (Lew); brother, Lester C. Miller (Amy); grandchildren, Kristen A. Cruzata (José), Zachary Miller, Sarah Flower (Andy), Kelsey A. Miller, Paris Miller, Ryan Miller; great-grandchild, Daphne Jo Flower; nieces and nephews, Brook Mumford (Nana Efua), Jesse Mumford Heide (Gregory), Kyle Mumford Ham, Ellis Mumford-Russell (Jeff Russell), Adam Borruso (Melia), Peter Borruso (Victoria), Luke Stevenson and Faith Stevenson; great-nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Miller Mumford, Jeannette Ann Mumford, Liam Lewis Ham, Shay Summit Meehan, Owen Borruso, Eva Borruso, Liam Green and Hayden Parker Green.