James Miller Obituary

News Death Notice

MILLER, James B. (Jim) b. May 17, 1926 (Chicago, Illinois), d. February 6, 2010. Predeceased by parents Harvey F. Miller and Margaret Brant Miller, and brother Frederick W. Miller. Survived by wife Helen E. (Messerschmidt); brothers Marion L. and Gerald C. Miller; daughters Nancy E. Hillila (Martin) of Grand Haven, Michigan, Marilynn O. Roe (Phil) of Circleville, Ohio; sons Thomas C. (Paula) of Lebanon, Ohio and Benjamin L. Miller of Rochester, New York; grandchildren Nathan James Hillila, Clinton Atlee Miller (Tara), Trevor James Miller, Lance Miles Miller, Hillary Marie Kline (Kelton), and Jonathan Lewis Roe (Amanda); great-grandson James Allen Kline. A lifelong resident of Lebanon, Ohio, Jim graduated from Lebanon High School in 1944 where he was captain of the football team. After serving in the Merchant Marine, he attended Miami University before completing military service in the U. S. Army as part of the Army of Occupation of Japan. Following his discharge from the Army, Jim attended The Ohio State University. He set up housekeeping with his wife Helen after their marriage in 1950, and received his Bachelors degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1951. He became an active member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity while at Ohio State. Millers professional career as an engineer began in the Oregonia Bridge Company in Lebanon Ohio, which became the Dave Steel Corporation. Jim subsequently founded the Mound Steel Corporation (named in honor of the Mound Builder tribes; history was a long-time love of his) and served as its president and owner until his retirement. He also founded and served as the president of Greenwood Farms, Incorporated. He was a 25-year member of the Board of Directors of the Lebanon Citizens National Bank. His engineering skills were recognized by the Industry and Professional Advisory Group for the Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department of The Ohio State University, who presented him with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002. Miller was intensely interested in community and professional development, and gave unstintingly of his time to many organizations. He was the first campaign leader of the Warren County United Way, was president of the Area Progress Council of Warren County in 1975 and 1976, served as president of the Steel Fabricators Association of Ohio, and was an active member of the leadership of the Warren County Historical Society and the Lebanon Tree Commission. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Cliff Brant and uncle Marion Brant, he was a 51-year member of the Masonic lodge. He was also dedicated to the Lebanon United Methodist Church, serving on several leadership committees over many decades. Throughout his life, Millers favorite activities revolved around spending time with family and friends. He and his wife (and often the whole family) traveled extensively, visiting every state in the U. S. except Idaho and Alaska, and touring China, Thailand, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Belize, Russia, Great Britain, Egypt, Scandinavia, Estonia, and continental Europe. Along with friends from Dinner Club and family, he also enjoyed weekend trips closer to home. In retirement, he enjoyed building intricate, highly realistic models of sailing ships. He is deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him. Visitation will be at the Lebanon United Methodist Church on Friday, February 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Lebanon United Methodist Church, or to the James B. Miller Engineering Scholarship (administered by the Lebanon Citizens National Bank, 2 N. Broadway, Lebanon, OH 45036) to be given to a graduating local High School student planning to major in Engineering in college. Arrangements by the Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, Lebanon. Online condolences available at www.Hoskinsfh.com.