Last Updated on March 11, 2022 by Murray-Weaver Funeral Home
Jerry Lee Miller, 76, of Peru, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at his residence.
He was born in Peru on July 19, 1945 to Donald Glen and Catherine Louise (Knipp) Miller. He was a member of the last graduating class of Clay Township High School in 1963, and graduated from Ball State University. He married his high school sweetheart Marcia (Bevington) at the Bunker Hill First Baptist Church on June 10, 1966, and she survives.
Jerry began working for Maconaquah School Corporation right after completing his bachelor’s degree. He taught math during the school year, and driver’s education during the summer. However, just a couple of years into his teaching career, the principal’s job at Nead School opened, and he applied and got the job. Prior to 1973 (when Maconaquah Elementary opened), Jerry was the principal at four county elementary schools, all at the same time – Nead, Bunker Hill, Liberty and Butler – while continuing to go to school at Ball State, finishing his master’s degree. When Liberty and Butler consolidated into Mac El, Jerry remained at Nead and Bunker Hill until 1988, when they were consolidated into newly constructed Pipe Creek Elementary, where he was the principal until he retired in 2003, after 36 years. At that point, he took 3 years off, but found that he missed the classroom, and took a job teaching for Ivy Tech Community College, where he started their elementary education program in this area. He taught there for 8 years before retiring, completing a total of 44 years of educating.
Jerry was a busy guy! He loved to travel, and was an avid outdoorsman. Depending upon the time of year, he could be found deer hunting, mushroom hunting, or he and Marcia would be off fishing or vacationing with close friends Ted & Sandra Seals. Jerry also enjoyed working with his hands. He was an accomplished woodworker, and always had a project going in his workshop, or with brother-in-law Jerry Rowlett. Mornings would frequently find him exercising, then having coffee with pal Ron Porter, while evenings might find him having a date with Marcia, or doing something with his kids and grandkids. In between, there was daily Bible study, running errands, helping friends, perhaps shooting sporting clays with pal Jerry Yentes… and on summer days, there was always a lawn to mow. He also served for 10 years on the board for the Miami County Soil & Water Conservation District. He was a lot of things for a lot of people.
Most of all, though, Jerry was a devoted Christian family man. He and Marcia celebrated 55 years of marriage last summer. His love for his wife, his family, and above all, his love for the Lord showed through in every aspect of his life. For him, times of difficulty were teaching opportunities for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others. He was a deacon and a lifelong member of the Loree Brethren Church, where he also taught Sunday School for many years, previously served as moderator, and currently served as treasurer.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and their children Troy Miller of Peru and Jason (Holly) Miller of Kokomo, as well as grandchildren Taylor Miller, Neil Miller, Lucas Miller, and Joshua Miller. Also surviving are Jerry’s twin sisters Vickie (Dick) Wood, and Connie Waltner; mother-in-law Monelle Bevington; sister-in-law Rhonda (Jerry) Rowlett; several nieces and nephews, many very close friends, and his dachshund, Daisy.
He was preceded in death by his parents Don & Catherine Miller, stepfather Joe Miller, father-in-law Richard Dale Bevington, brother-in-law Don Waltner, and nephew Ryan Miller.
Visitation will be held from 2pm – 6pm on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at the Loree Brethren Church, 8483 South Strawtown Pike, Bunker Hill, Indiana. Funeral service will be held at 11am at the church on Monday, March 14, 2022, with Pastor Steve Zerbe officiating. Burial will follow at Rankin Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Loree Brethren Church. (If sending flowers, please send them to the church.)
“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
Arrangements have been entrusted to Murray-Weaver Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.MurrayWeaverFuneralHome.com.