Rev. Gary L. Miller

Rev. Gary L. Miller, 73, of Malone, passed from this life Sunday, October 23, 2016. He was born May 3, 1943 in North Tonawanda, NY, the son of Theron and Evelyn Cary Miller. Gary graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1961 and continued his education at Elmhurst College where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree and then attended United Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1968. Gary served in the U.S. Army as chaplain for several years. On August 20, 1966 he married Elizabeth Ann Schmiechen at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, IL. Gary served many congregations through the years including, Youth Minister First Congregational UCC in Saginaw, MI, United Church Board for Homeland Ministries (Music Ministry), Associate Conference Minister Florida UCC, Sr. Pastor at Congregational Church of Algonquin, Sr. Pastor at Coral Gables UCC in Florida, and retired in 2011 as Sr. Pastor at Asylum Hill Congregational UCC in Hartford, CT. Following retirement he served as interim pastor at Our Saviour’s UCC in Ripon, St. Paul’s UCC in Malone, and Union Congregational UCC in Waupun.



Gary was involved in Habitat for Humanity and initiated the building of two homes in Ripon with the help of ServCorps, a home building mission group that he belonged to. He was instrumental in starting the Holyland Food Pantry and was President of the Artesia Beach Association. Gary was a member of the American Legion Post #75 and was the bugler for their honor guard.



Gary loved playing his trumpet, the Buffalo Bills, the New York Yankees, and the Green Bay Packers, traveling, sitting on his deck watching his blue heron, and spending time with his grandchildren.



He is survived by his wife, Beth; three sons, Kent (Christy) Miller of Prairie Grove, IL, Mark (Alicia) Miller of Palatine, IL, and Chris (Elaine) Miller of Los Angeles, CA; seven grandchildren, McKenna, Morgan, Maeve, Michael, Alexis, Eliana, and Taja; one sister, Wendy (Chuck) Pilkey of Naples, FL; two brothers-in-law, James Schmiechen of Saugatuck, MI and John (Ted) Schmiechen of Philadelphia, PA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Kurt and Charlotte Schmiechen; and a brother-in-law, Richard Schmiechen.



A visitation will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on Friday, October 28, 2016 at Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington Street, Algonquin, IL. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM at the church following visitation.



A visitation will be held from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Church of Peace, 158 S. Military Road, Fond du Lac, WI. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon at the church following the visitation. American Legion Post #75 will conduct military honors. Cremation will follow the traditional services.



A memorial service will be held at Asylum Hill Congregational UCC in Hartford, CT at a later date.



Memorials in Gary’s name are appreciated to the Holyland Food Pantry, the Fond du Lac Habitat for Humanity, or your local Habitat chapter.