Nathan Ray Miller

Obituary

In Loving Memory of Nathan Ray Miller

Born February 16, 1942, in Buffalo, New York, Nathan Miller was a friend to all, whether they knew him or not. His was an open heart, and his life a demonstration of his love for his fellow humans and his ability to treat everyone he encountered with equal dignity.

Nate’s passion for helping others extended through all areas of his life. A lifelong educator, he spent 30 years in the classroom, sharing his love of learning with and influencing the lives of innumerable 5th and 6th graders. In 1984 he co-founded Camp Buckeye, a summer camp in Beach City, Ohio, where he spent countless hours assisting with programming and behind the scenes maintenance. Over the decades he volunteered his time readily to multiple faith communities and outreach programs, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. His ongoing service to others served as testament to his deep faith.

Ever ready to trade a laugh and a joke, Nate also developed a reputation as a jovial character. Stories of his silly antics, sayings, mishaps and lighthearted pranks were often and eagerly requested by his grandchildren. Little gave him more joy than to recount these stories, always with a chuckle and twinkle in his eye. Like the one about the time he found a rat swimming in the toilet in the middle of the night. His solution: try to hit it with a hammer! He missed the rat, but didn’t miss the toilet. Oh, the mess!

Or the time he headed out from home with a 30-foot length of hose dangling from the back of his pickup. It danced fifteen miles down the road before he realized his truck had a tail!

Or the time he was up sawing the top off a tree, only to have the tree unexpectedly spring back and throw him from the high rungs of the ladder. Guess where he landed? On top of Viola!

And he always managed to mix in a few “Nate-isms,” like That’s the berries, and Cookin’, or Peace, Love and Understanding, or one of his favorites, Thanks for being.

Nathan transitioned to the next phase of his journey in the early hours of March 19, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Viola (Mullet) Miller, his two daughters, Katelyn Miller and Rhoda Miller, sons-in-law David Brennan and Jon Styer, and nephew Matthew Hartman. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren Aria Brennan and Fennec Styer, his sisters Dorcas Weir and Marti Creed, sisters-in-law Berni Hartman and Joanne Miller, and countless other family and friends. No stranger to loss, Nathan was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Clara Miller, his siblings Olive Gilmore and Dan Miller, and two children, Joshua and SaraLisa Miller.

A service will be planned for a time later this year. 

Gallery

Memory wall

Donate