Rev. L. Byron Miller, 105, North Manchester, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Feb. 5, 2020, at Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester.

One of Melvin F. and Nettie Edith (Tully) Miller’s seven children, he was born on Feb. 16, 1914, in Kosciusko County near Sidney.

A graduate of Sidney High School’s class of 1932, he went on to attend Bible Training School at Bethany Seminary from 1941 to 1943. He then graduated from Manchester College in 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science. He later graduated from Bethany Seminary in 1949. He served in the Church of the Brethren for 52 years before retiring. He first served the South Whitley Church of the Brethren from 1944 to 1948 and later the Painter Creek and Red River Churches in Greenville, OH, for nine years; Nettle Creek Church of the Brethren in Hagerstown for 11 years; Eastwood Church of the Brethren in Akron, OH, for 11 years; Pitsburg Church of the Brethren in Arcanum, OH, from 1980 to 1981; Spring Creek Church of the Brethren from 1981 to 1988 and West Manchester Church of the Brethren from 1992 to1994.

On June 29, 1946, he married Zola A. Simpson. They were wed for 62 years before Zola passed on Feb. 8, 2009. The two built a beautiful life and family together. Both were members of the Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester. He was a lifelong Hoosier basketball and Chicago Cubs fan. He and his sister often called each other after each Cubs game to talk about the events of the game. He was also a member of the Lions Club of North Manchester.

The loving memory of Rev. L. Byron Miller will be forever cherished by his two sons: Julian Miller, Riverview, Fla.; and Stanley (Linda) Miller, North Manchester; three daughters: Rowena (Darrel Fourman), Fayetteville, Ga.; Anita Miller, Wabash; and Lillian Long, Philippi, W.Va.; eight grandchildren: Brian (Kim) Fourman, Tyrone, Ga.; Heather (Anthony) Zias, Belcamp, Md.; Jordan Long, Athens, Ga.; Nelson (Alison) Long, Madison, Wis.; Kiersten (Chris) Tharp, Fayetteville, Ga.; Emily Weikert, Union, OH; Cohen Marvel, North Manchester; and Alyssa Marvel, North Manchester; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; four brothers: Delbert Miller, Loren Miller, James Miller, and Kenneth Miller; and two sisters: Bernice Keppler and Freda Miller.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East St., North Manchester. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Timbercrest Assembly Room, 2201 East St., North Manchester. A private burial will be held at Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, 2507 SR 14, Silver Lake.Pastor Kurt Borgmann will officiate.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Rev. L. Byron Miller, memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 or Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 North Beckley St., North Manchester, Indiana 46962.