Marilyn Miller

Marilyn Frances Miller age 81 of Elsie, MI, passed away Friday, November 17, 2017, at Ashley Care Center, Ashley, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 20, 2017, with Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating.  Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Gratiot County, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 2:00-6:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI and also on Monday, November 20, 2017 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service.

Marilyn was born in Brant, MI on January 2, 1936, the daughter of Ernest and Nora (McFall) Valentine.  She graduated from Elsie High School with the class of 1954.  Marilyn married Walter Miller on August 20, 1954 at the Bannister United Methodist Church.

She worked at the Ashley Care Center as an administrative assistant for 14 years. After she retired from the nursing home, she continued to go back and volunteer playing music for the residents. She spent most of her time babysitting grandchildren and grand dogs in her retirement as well. Marilyn played the organ/piano at the Bannister United Methodist Church for over 65 years. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and making quilts for her family and friends. Marilyn was a glorious cook and baker and always had food enough to feed anyone who dropped in. Walt and Marilyn served as the Grand Marshall’s in the 2016 Dairy Festival Parade. She was a lifetime member of the Bannister United Methodist Church and was a member of the United Methodist Women's group.

She is survived by her husband Walt Miller of Elsie, MI, children;  Lori and Dr. Ronald Mead of Gaylord, MI, Brenda and Tim Quine of Bannister, MI, Carrie and Dave Fox of Bannister, MI, Scott and Jane Miller of Elsie, MI, grandchildren; Kristin (Mead) Nugent, Cameron Mead, Trevor Mead, Lyndsey (Quine) Lover, Chad Hier, Justin Hier, Randi (Miller) Holmes, Damien Miller, 11 great grandchildren, sister Evelyn and Roy Schmidtman of Marquette, MI, sister in law Doris (Valentine) Edgar of Ithaca, MI, and sister in law Helen (Miller) Reha of Elsie, MI.  She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Jason Mead, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Memorials may be made to Bannister United Methodist Church or Ashley Care Center Memory Care Unit. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.