Former Rockford resident Lester Frederick Miller, 96, St. Marys, died at 10:11 a.m. March 5, 2011, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.

He was born Oct. 15, 1914, in Harrison Township, to Frederick J. and Emelie Bollenbacher Miller. On Nov. 25, 1937, he married Marguerite Wendel, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Larry (Lois) Miller, Celina, and Rolland (Frances) Miller, Rockford; a stepbrother, Carl Linn Jr., Rockford; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a granddaughter.

He graduated from Rockford High School in 1931. He worked on the family farm and was a tank-truck driver for the Mercer County Farm Bureau Cooperative Association. He also was a rural letter carrier in Rockford for 25 years. He was also a clerk-treasurer of the Willshire School District. He was a member and officer for Rural Letter Carriers at the county, district and state levels. He was elected to the national board in 1966. He was also elected to the office of National Secretary in Washington, D.C. He served in all of the offices of the association and retired as national president in 1977. He participated in 10 labor agreements between the U.S. Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Rockford where he also taught Sunday school and was a member of its governing body.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Catherine Costello officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the church.

Condolences may be left at ketchamripley.com.