Marilyn A. Miller, 89, of Coldwater, passed away April 20, 2022, at Masonville Place.
A memorial service will be held on June, 2, 2022 at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Coldwater where Marilyn was a member for 60 years.
Reverend Susan Reichenberg will be officiating the memorial service and the family will receive friends, prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The family wishes are to have her ashes privately interred in the church columbarium, prior to the service.
Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home.
Marilyn was born December 19, 1932, at home in Montpelier, Ohio to Dean and Dorothy (Anspaugh) Fireovid. She graduated in 1950 from Montpelier High School.
Following graduation, she worked as a Bookkeeper for Williams Co. Farm Bureau Co-Op Association until she met and married Kenneth Miller May 19, 1957, at Bridgewater Evangelical United Brethren Church in Montpelier Ohio.
Soon after their marriage they opened Millers Jewelry Store in Walkerton Indiana and operated it until they sold the business for an opportunity in Coldwater MI. They started in partnership in 1960 at Kiess Jewelry and purchased the business as Mr. Kiess retired. The Miller family owned and operated Kiess Jewelry for 34 years until they retired in 1995.
She had a love of education and learning and continued to grow as she took several courses at the Branch Area Careers Center in accounting and computer science. She was the driving force to add the first computer-based accounting system to Kiess Jewelry and grew into its primary bookkeeper as her children moved into Jr. High.
Marilyn was an active member of the Presbyterian Church for over 60 years where she served in numerous capacities as deacon, session member and active in Presbyterian Women. She enjoyed singing with the church Choir where she was a member for over 50 years. She was very active in the community, and she was honored as the Young Women of the Year in 1966 from the Jaycee’s Auxiliary as well as Women of the Year from the Presbyterian Women.
Beyond helping to grow a business as well as a family she gave to numerous community organizations:
Marilyn was a Lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority where she held numerous offices. She cherished this group and made lifelong friends. She was active improving the community through the Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Altrusa Club as well as the Downtown Business Association. She was a volunteer for over 50 years with the Red Cross and a member of the Centurion Club of the Community Health Center.
With her love of music and theatre she was a member of the Sweet Adeline’s and gave to the Tibbits Opera Foundation along with housing members of the cast and crew during the season. Marilyn hosted numerous exchange students with her involvement with the Sister City Committee as well as the Youth for Understanding organization.
As they came close to retirement Marilyn and Ken loved to travel. She would map out whirlwind trips packing many adventures in very short doses. At last count they had seen most of the US and over 15 countries.
She had infectious enthusiasm and a joy for life that she shared by celebrating special occasions. She was the mother/Aunt/Grandma that sent Birthday Cards religiously. It was rare for her to miss an ever-widening circle of extended family (Family was defined by connection more than blood). Along with this Marilyn, was “Mom” to many and added family throughout her lifetime. Including: Her children’s friends, exchange students and acquaintances she met along the way.
Surviving Marilyn are her children Tammy Teska of Arvada CO, Eric Miller (Denise Dorr-Miller) of Martinez CA, Carrie Brozovich (Shawn) of Kalkaska Mi. her 7 Grandchildren, Courtney Taylor (Teska), and Joe Teska, Brittaney Miller, Andrew Miller, Ryan Miller, Caroline Waller (Brozovich), James Brozovich. 7 Great Grandchildren, Bode and Declan Taylor, Kalvin and Robyn Miller, MacKenna and Jaxon Miller, Charlotte Waller and one more on the way…
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Kenneth, her parents, her Brother Gene Fireovid and her sister Connie Thomas.
Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Coldwater.
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