SEYMOUR
James Keith Miller, 89, of Seymour, passed away Tuesday evening, Feb. 17, 2015, at Seymour Crossing.
Born March 23, 1925, in Hensley Township in Johnson County, he was the son of William Fritz and Zola Prather Miller.
He was a 1943 graduate of Trafalgar High School and served his country during World War II as a seaman first class in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945. On Sept. 20, 1946, in Franklin, he married Alpha Dean Lucas. She survives after 68 loving and devoted years of marriage.
Keith served the community for 23 years as an Indiana State Police officer from 1953 until his retirement in 1976. At the time of his retirement, he was a sergeant in charge of the weigh station in Jackson County. Keith was a member of Jackson County Fraternal Order of Police and Pioneers of the Indiana State Police and a past member of the Retired State Troopers Association.
He enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo with friends and loved to travel, especially in the southwest. Keith enjoyed crafts such as woodworking, oil painting and silversmithing. He even made rocking chairs for each of his great-grandchildren, whom he loved very much.
Keith was a Mason for more than 65 years and a Master Mason with the Seymour Masonic Lodge Free and Accepted Masons 146. He also was a member of Indianapolis Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine. Keith was a member of the Morgantown Order of the Eastern Star, a longtime member of Morgantown United Methodist Church and a member of American Legion Post 89.
Keith will be missed by his wife; daughters, Ronda Ann Miller of Eustis, Florida, and Nola J. (Charles) Allen of Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida; three granddaughters, Marnee A. (John) Batchelor, Melissa S. (Kris) Hinckley and Erica S. Nicksin; and four great-grandchildren, Trenton Batchelor and Brady, Calvin and Ruby Hinckley.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Miller, and a sister, Jeanette Hegadorn.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry St., Morgantown, with the Rev. Jill Howard officiating. Burial with full military graveside rites will be at East Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be from noon until time of service Sunday at the funeral home.
A Masonic service will be conducted by Seymour Masonic Lodge before the funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Keith to Morgantown United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 226, Morgantown, IN 46160 or donor’s choice of charity.
Online condolences may be made at meredith-clark.com.