Tuesday, March 12th, 2024
Milton Miller
Milton "Milt" L. Miller, age 75, of Celina, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
He was born August 8, 1948, in Celina to the late Kenneth L. and Zella "Ollie" (Anderson) Miller. He was happily married to Linda Ruane Miller, who survives at the residence in Celina.
He is survived by a sister, Gwen (Keith) Ley, Celina; sons, Cortland (Caroline) Miller, Texas; Justin Miller, New York; and M. Colby Miller, Washington State; stepsons, Luke (Amy) Ruane, St. Marys; Thomas (Travis) Ruane, West Jefferson; and Bill (Nan) Ruane, St. Marys; and eight grandchildren, LJ, Elise, Noelle, Trent and Giana Ruane, Christoper Tanner and Ryan and Dylan Miller.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by older brother, Gregory and nephew Scott.
Milt was a 1966 graduate of Celina High School and The Ohio State University and spent over 40 years in the banking business primarily in sales and sales management with regional holding companies from Dayton to Cleveland.
In 2010, in response to the devastating algae bloom in Grand Lake St. Marys, he resigned from banking to help form and become the first manager of the Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission beginning the process of restoring the health of the lake. Milt personally raised nearly one million dollars the first two years of the groups existence to fund initiatives. The majority of the treatment trains currently functioning were constructed under his six years of leadership. He was the recipient of the Guardian of the Lake award presented by the Lake Improvement Association.
During his career Milt was extremely civically dedicated to improving the communities he served. He was a past president and treasurer of the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce, 3-time chairman of Summerfest and served 31 years on the committee. He received the prestigious Builder of Bridges Award, the inaugural Frank C. Murray Ambassador Award and Grand Marshal of Summerfest Parade.
In 1995 he completely refurbished the grotto in Memorial Park on the shore of the St. Marys River and salvaged the Huber Building Arch entrance in 2004 after the historic fire to be erected at a later date. The blocks of the arch are stored with the city of St. Marys. He was a Board of Directors member of Joint Township Memorial Hospital Foundation and of the Otterbein Seniorlife Community.
Milt was a trustee of the St. Marys Eagle Aerie 767, of the St. Marys Rotary, Treasurer of Kiwanis and Board member of the CIC. He was past president of the North Grove Cemetery Association in Celina, of the Lake Development Corporation and of the East Jefferson Township Zoning Board of Appeals. He was a treasurer of the Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce and of the Celina Lake Festival.
In addition to Grand Lake St. Marys, Milt's other passion was a lifelong commitment to the Mercer County Sportsmen Association. As a second-generation servant to the club, he served as trustee and president for most of his adult life. Great strides of progress and growth were made at the club during his leadership.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 2-7 p.m. at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina, with Rev. Matt Overman officiating; where the family will receive friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Private graveside services will follow at North Grove Cemetery in Celina.
Memorial contributions can be made to Mercer County Sportsmen Association, PO Box 291, Celina, Ohio 45822.
To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home's Facebook page.
