GREENFIELD
Phillip Alan Miller, age 69, of Greenfield, passed away on June 2, 2024. He was born February 6, 1955, in Caro, Michigan to John and Lorraine Miller, and grew up in both Owosso and Concord, Michigan, and then graduated from Gladwin High School in 1973. He attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1977 with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.
He was gifted his sweetheart, Terry Lynn Waldo, when they met on the Michigan State University campus in the Akers Cafeteria. They met as employees and their first interaction was with Phil showing her how to keep the buffet full and training her in making “cheese dreams” for 2,000 students. They were married in 1978 and then upon graduation, followed the jobs from Lima, Ohio to Elyria, Ohio to Sandusky, Ohio and then Greenfield, Indiana.
Things that he loved included watching all interactions between Terry and his grandson Jacob, his daughter Caity, daughter Ziena, &son Ryan. Of course, the Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan football and basketball teams have to be mentioned also.
Phil did work with various companies including Aramark, Radio Shack Computers, Klosterman’s, Greenfield Ponderosa, and then finally Sysco Food Services where he serviced some of their largest national customers and stayed for 25 years.
Phil was active in the church, the community, and in local and national politics. At St. James Lutheran Church, he served as the Administrative Assistant for a short time and also on Church Council as VP and President. He was a long time member (but was terrible at showing up at meetings unless he was running it) of the Lions Club, served as VP, President, and Treasurer, and loved selling Christmas trees. He was on the Love INC Board for approximately 10 years, which included terms as VP and President. Phil proudly served on the Greenfield City Council from 2000 through 2003. His participation in the Libertarian party included stints as County Chair and he spoke on CNN twice as a representative at the Libertarian Convention. He also participated on the LP National Strategic Planning Team in the early 2000’s. Phil and Terry spent 7 years as marching band parents selling hot dogs and hamburgers and walking tacos. He always said that the high school marching band is the best organization for high school kids to participate in. Phil’s sugar packet collection, consisting of over 10,000 items, was highlighted by Dick Wolfsie four times on WISH-TV, and in Dick’s book, Indiana Curiosities.
Phil was preceded in death by his father, John William Miller, and mother, Lorraine Beth Miller. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Terry Lynn Miller; the kids, Caitlin Miller, Ryan Miller, Ziena (Clarkson) Miller; and grandson Jacob Miller. Also surviving is sister Paula Ross (Brian), nephews Bradley (Abbie) and Jonathon, brother Aaron Miller (Diane), and niece Valeria.
A visitation will be held from 3-5pm on 06/07/2024 at St. James Lutheran Church, with a service immediately following. Phil asked that instead of flowers, please make donations to: Love In the Name of Christ of Greater Hancock County, 630 N State St, Greenfield, IN 46140. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary &Crematory in Greenfield.
