John C. Miller, Jr., 96, of Saint Marys, died at 11:10 A.M. on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at Wapakoneta Manor, where he had been a resident since November 2020.

He was born on July 14, 1924, in St. Marys, Ohio, the son of John and Elizabeth (Gebele) Miller.

He is survived by his children: Donald Miller of Columbus; Lawrence (Claire) Miller of Columbus; Steven (Cathy) Miller of Dayton; Jeffrey (Deb) Miller of Dublin; Mary (Carey) Clouner of Saint Marys; Donna Miller of Galloway, and daughter-in-law, Connie Miller of Virginia. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Christopher Miller; Jessica (Anthony) Brazier; Alexandra (Paul) Berning; Alyssa Miller; Evan Miller; Victoria Miller; Olivia Miller; Melinda (Charlie) Burts; Shaun Miller; Casey Miller; Austin Miller; Jamie Miller; Kyle (Cindy) Clouner; Luke (Tasha Moon) Clouner; Ethan (Rachel) Clouner. He is also survived by his 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Rita T. (Hummer) Miller, his son, James Miller, his parents and his siblings: Anna Marie (Red) Phlipot, Helen (Norman) Otto, and Edward (Pat) Miller.

John was a graduate of St. Marys High School in 1943. He was a veteran of the US Army, having served during WWII in the Pacific theater. In January of 1946, he was honorably discharged at Camp Atterbury, Indiana from the 325th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion with a rank of Technician Fourth Grade. His decorations and citations included "Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star; Good Conduct Ribbon; and Victory Medal".

John was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He worked as a bartender at his family's business, Miller's Café, his autobody shop, Goodyear, New Idea, Parker Hannifin, as a school bus driver and ultimately retired as a Toolmaker from Ford Motor Company 1987.

John was a talented craftsman building both of the houses he shared with Rita, as well as numerous wood working projects such as trivets, decorative pieces, furniture, and cabinets, to name a few. There were very few things he couldn't build or create from an idea. He was also a loyal fan of Roughrider football attending all of the games for many years.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where he spent many hours volunteering his time for both the church and school building projects and restoring artifacts including restoration of a 100-year-old Last Supper carving. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys, the Reverend Alexander Witt, celebrant. The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at Holyrosarychurch.us. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Friends may call from 9:00-11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church.

All visitors to the church are required to wear a mask, in accordance with the mandate of the Ohio Department of Health.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial gifts are donations to either Friends of Holy Rosary Church & School or St. Marys Tailgate for Cancer.

Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, is entrusted with John's funeral arrangements, and condolences may be sent to his family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.