Date of Birth:
Monday, October 20, 1924
Date of Death:
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Age:
94 years old

Bruce Edward Miller

Bruce Edward Miller, age 94, passed away on Wednesday, November 7 at Charter House of Rochester, Minnesota, where he has lived since 2010.

Pastor Miller was born on October 20, 1924, at Mankato, Minnesota. He was the son of Cecil Edward Miller and Ruth Marie Churchyard Miller. He was married to Thelma Juanita Van Est on August 29, 1948 until her death on February 15, 1978. They were parents to two sons and two daughters. He was married to Onnalee McMillan Grimes on February 1, 2002 until her death on December 6, 2008.

Pastor Miller graduated at Minnesota Bible College, Minneapolis, in 1946. He earned a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry at Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Master of Arts at Butler University, Indiana.

The ministry of Bruce Miller spans 56 years. As a student of Ministry beginning in 1944, he served as pastor for churches in Storm Lake, Iowa; Marion, Minnesota; New Liberty and Noblesville, Indiana. In 1946 he became Minster for Youth at First Christian Church, Columbus, Indiana, where he met his wife, Thelma. He then served as Pastor at North Tacoma Christian Church for 22 years (1951-1973). He then became President of Minnesota Bible College in Rochester (1973-1985). He served as Pastor for Senior Adults at Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona (1987-2000).

In addition, he served as Chaplain, Lt. Colonel, and pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary at Rochester, Minnesota and Luke AFB in Arizona. He served on the Boards of several church and religious organizations, among them: Minnesota Bible College (1958-1973), North American Christian Convention, National Missionary Convention, Alexander Christian Foundation, Emmanuel School of Religion Associates, Publishing Committee of Standard Publishing.  He also served on many boards and with multiple service organizations in the communities where he lived, including Rochester Chamber of Commerce Committee of Education and as past President of the Rochester Exchange Club.

His living family includes sons, Martin (Becky) and David (Jeanne Gardner); daughters, Laura (Dean) Lovejoy and Karen (Al) Przybylski; six grandchildren, Sarah (Kory) Gilbreth, Andrew (Naoko) Miller, Anna Miller, Ben (Mary) Smith, Alexander Lovejoy and Katherine Lovejoy; and three great-grandchildren, Isabella and Shepard Gilbreth and Aria Smith. He is preceded in death by his beloved wives, Thelma and Onnalee.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at Hope Summit Christian Church in Rochester. Visitation will begin at the church one hour before the service. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus, Indiana.