Obituary for my dad

Laurence John Miller

June 11, 1933 - January 12, 2017

Laurence John Miller, 83, of Wellington, died Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Keystone Pointe. On June 11, 1933, John was born in Millersburg to the late Oscar and Myra (nee Weiss) Miller. He graduated from Millersburg High School and attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he met the love of his life, Mary. John left Ohio Wesleyan to enlist in the United States Army during the Korean War. He earned the rank of Specialist 3rd Class in the Medical Corps. Following his military service, John enrolled at Ohio Northern and graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor’s of Science and began his career as a pharmacist. During his college years, John was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta, Rho Chi Honorary Fraternity, and Phi Delta Chi professional pharmacy fraternity. John started his career at Hess and Hess in Elyria. He then became a hospital pharmacist at Elyria Memorial Hospital and Mercy Hospital in Lorain, retiring after 25 years. Following his retirement, he helped at Broome’s Pharmacy in Wellington and was instrumental in setting up the Wellington Rite-Aid pharmacy. A member of the Grace Vermilion United Methodist Church, where he proudly served on the building fund committee, sang in the choir for 25 years and was active in various small groups. Later he attended the First United Methodist Church of Wellington. For many years, John volunteered at the Free Clinic. He will be remembered by those in both his personal and professional lives as a sweet, gentle, kind and helpful man. He enjoyed bird watching and was able to name all the species that visited his backyard. Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Mary J. Miller (nee Whitman); children, John Michael Miller, of Bellingham, WA, Lisa Joan (Dan) Trinter, of Wellington, Steven Paul (Jayne) Miller, of Eastlake, Tina Kathleen (Ronald) Kneisler, of Zachary, LA; 7 grandchildren, Mary Parker, Katherine Trinter, Daniel Trinter, Alexander Miller, Rachel Miller, Jonathan “Jon” Kneisler and Jesse Kneisler; 3 great grandchildren, Ashton Parker, Maddyn Parker and Jonah Trinter and a sister, Hilda Stafford. John was preceded in death by his twin sister, Lora Price and other siblings, Evelyn Miller, Arleen Gordon and Raymond Miller. Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, January 17 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Funeral at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main Street, Wellington with Pastor Paul Wilson officiating. A private family burial will take place at Brookdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the Miller family suggests donations to the Free Clinic, 3323 Pearl Ave, Lorain, Ohio 44055 or New Life Hospice, 3500 Kolbe Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053.