Sam Miller, beloved husband, father, grandfather, soldier, MSU alum, businessman, and all-around good guy, passed away on Thursday, September 7th.

He was born to Anna and Hyman Miller at Mercy Hospital in Manistee, MI, on March 25th, 1931, their only child. He spent his entire 92 years in Manistee, save for stints as an MSU spartan 1948-1952, and a US Army soldier 1952-1954, where he was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. Oh, at MSU, he fondly recalled residing at Abbott Hall. I need to check and see if it is still there. Upon returning to Manistee, upon discharge, he began working for his Uncle Sam at Miller Bros Iron & Metal. His father was also part of the business but had passed away in 1952. Dad took over the business upon his uncle's passing in 1960. He was good to his employees; many spent most of their working lives with the company. He was also very good to his community, as he was a member of multiple service organizations in town. Okay, let's start the BPOE of Elks, International Rotary (president), Jaycees (president), Masonic Lodge, and Forest Shriners Club (treasurer). He was recently awarded his 70-year Masonic pin—not many folks receive that. An exceptional resume of community service. I fondly remember watching cement poured at the First Street Beach tennis courts while my dad worked on that project for Rotary. In 1961, Dad met the love of his life, Kay Lake, who was living at the Oak apartments while doing her student teaching in the Manistee schools. (Dad lived around the corner.) They were wed in Grand Rapids. They had one child, Sam D., who is currently typing. Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling and were particularly fond of the Southeast, making many trips to the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. They also enjoyed traveling to Montana to see their son and his family. Dad was an exceptional athlete in many sports—well, it sounds good anyway. He enjoyed Jaycee and Rotary softball games and was fond of the right field, as fewer hits went out. He also enjoyed volleyball, especially tennis, where he was competitive. I recall him playing Ford Stone and Ned Burns quite often. He should have played golf. I think he would have liked it too. Miller Bros was sold in 1995, and Dad retired, although he could still be found mixing some mud for his friend Bob Kott, on various projects around town. If you had something to sell, Dad would still beat the ground for you to move it as well. I feel he especially enjoyed selling pipe and plate steel.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, his uncle, his brothers-in-law, Lynn, Frank, Larry, Ron, and Greg Lake, and many of his dear friends. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kay, his son Sam (me), my wife Heather, and his grandchildren Ari and Olivia. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Margie Jean Garske, Candace Lake, Shelley Williams, Phyllis Lake, Janice (John) Larsen, Betty (Butch) Kaiser, and Dawn (Mike) Umphrey. Brothers-in-law Roger (Kay) Lake, Gordon (Pat) Lake, Bruce (Lisa) Lake, Keith (Brenda) Lake, as well as many nieces and nephews. Sam and Kay were members of Temple Beth Shalom for many years.

There will be a private service for Sam at the Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City on Sunday, September 10. Please join us to celebrate Sam's life at Doc's Sauble River Inn on Sunday, September 17th, from 1:00-4:00 PM. There will be outdoor seating for those who don't enjoy hearing the MSU fight song.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.