Durward H. "Butch" Miller

Durward Henry "Butch" Miller, age 76 of Pigeon, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2011 at home.
Born in Manson, Iowa on September 19, 1934, he was the son of the late Orval and Marjorie (Pletcher) Miller, and was a 1954 graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. On December 30, 1955, he was united in marriage to Nova Jean Wertz at the Pigeon River Mennonite Church, Pigeon. She survives him.
Butch owned and operated J&B Plumbing & Heating in Pigeon for 37 years, retiring in 2001, and was a member of the Thumb Area Plumbers Association. He was a Pigeon Village Councilman. He was also a member, past president (1988-1989), and Paul Harris Fellow recipient of the Pigeon Rotary Club, where he had many years of perfect attendance. He enjoyed flying, and was a member of the Huron Aviation Club. Butch and Nova Jean welcomed several exchange students into their home throughout the years. Butch was a humorist who made everyone he met smile. Butch was a member of the Pigeon River Mennonite Church. He was proud of his grandchildren and cherished his family, friends and serving his church and community. Butch loved sports and was an active member of the Laker Athletic Boosters for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Nova Jean, to whom he had been married for 55 years; three children, Margie Clement of Broadway, Virginia, Sheldon & Jeanie Miller of Dryden, and Darlene & David Hoffman of Augusta, Georgia; seven grandchildren: Paige, Joe, Dan, Gabe, Davis, Emilee, and Mariah; a brother, Ed (Marlene) Miller of Meadville, Pennsylvania; three sisters, Nellie (Robert) Steider of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, Juanita (Clair) Marner of Shipshewana, Indiana, and Marilyn (John) Yoder of Wellman, Iowa; an aunt, Minnie Lundberg of Lakewood, Colorado; three sisters-in-law, Ramona Wertz Mahler of Elkhart, Indiana, Ruby Wertz of Goshen, Indiana, and Floris Wertz of Bay Port; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Louise Miller; four brothers-in-law, Willard, R. Dale, and Donald Wertz, and Charles Mahler; and a nephew, Rodney Wertz.
The Funeral Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Pigeon River Mennonite Church, Pigeon, with Rev. Alvin Yoder, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Pigeon River Mennonite Church, Lighthouse Rehabilitation of Caro, or the charity of donor's choice.

VISITATION AT PIGEON RIVER MENNONITE CHURCH:
Friday, May 6, 2011 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 7, 2011 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m.