MILLER, Bert Edward

bluemountaineaglecom 14 Aug 2012 Bert Edward Miller, 86, of John Day, died Aug. 9 at Country Spice Residential Care Facility. A graveside service was held Aug. 14 at Canyon City Cemetery. The Rev. Marcie Collins officiated, and American Legion Post 77 and John Day Elks Lodge 1824 participated. Mr. Miller was born Nov. 14 , 1925, in Miles City, Mont., to Henry and Sarah (Martell) Miller. In 1943, he graduated from Jerome High School. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 17, and served in World War II and the Korean War as a tech sergeant. On Nov. 9, 1947, he married Leona F. Kulm in Jerome, Idaho. Together they owned and operated Miller Furniture & Appliance in John Day, which they bought from Dan Scott in 1963, and sold in 1988. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, rock work, bowling, reading, traveling and playing horseshoes. He was a charter member of the John Day Elks, and served as exalted ruler 1965-1966, and past district deputy grand exalted ruler 1974-1975. He served as past state president of the Oregon School Employees Association from 1988-1989. He was a member of the Canyon City Masonic Lodge, John Day United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 77, and an original member of the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse, serving as its fourth captain. He was inducted into the Oregon State Elks Hall of Fame in 1997. Survivors include his son, Gary (Virginia) Miller of Mt. Vernon; daughter, Melody Miller of Pendleton; stepgrandchildren, J. Colt, Julie Proctor and Jeff Colt; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Leona in 1990; and sister Doris Crisp. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic or to Blue Mountain Home, Health and Hospice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.