Lester Miller

Lester Frederick Miller, 96, St. Marys, formerly of Rockford, died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 10:11 a.m. at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima. He was born October 15, 1914, in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, to Frederick J. and Emelie (Bollenbacher) Miller. On November 25, 1937, he married Marguerite (Wendel) Miller, who survives. Also surviving in addition to his wife are two sons: Larry D. (Lois) Miller, Celina, and Rolland L. (Frances) Miller, Rockford; one stepbrother: Carl Linn Jr., Rockford; four grandchildren: Julia (John) Churan, Jill (John) Schaeffer, John (Angela) Miller and Brad (Melissa) Miller; and nine great-grandchildren. Deceased is one granddaughter: Kellie (Miller) Hicks. He spent most of his life in Mercer County and graduated from Rockford High School in 1931. He helped his father on the farm for several years, then became a tank-truck driver for the Mercer County Farm Bureau Cooperative Association. In 1943, he was appointed to be a rural letter carrier on R.R. 1, Rockford. He served as an active rural carrier for 25 years. During that time he also served as Clerk-Treasurer of the Willshire School District for 6 1/2 years until they consolidated into the Parkway School District. During this period as an active rural carrier he became deeply involved in the Rural Letter Carriers Association, serving as an officer at the County, District, and State levels. In 1966 he was elected to the National Board. A year later, he was elected to the office of National Secretary in Washington D.C. He served in all of the offices of the Association and retired as the National President in 1977. He spent 10 years as an officer in D.C. While serving in these positions, he represented rural letter carriers in the Congress and with the U.S. Postal Service. This involved lobbying members of the Congress to seek favorable legislation for rural letter carriers and negotiating contracts with the Postal Service to improve salary and working conditions for rural carriers. After retirement, he served as Special Assistant to the Association President during contract negotiations on four occasions. His last negotiation assistance was in 1991. During his lifetime, he was an active participant in ten labor agreements between the U.S. Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. His greatest satisfaction in life came from his service to his church. He was a member of the St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Rockford, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and a member of its governing body on numerous occasions. His life was one of serving others. His philosophy was "helping others is the key to happiness"! Funeral Services are Wednesday March 9, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's UCC, Rockford, with Pastor Catherine Costello officiating. Burial will be held in St. Paul's UCC Cemetery. Viewing will be Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul's UCC. [photosmash id=47]