Elmer Mannie Miller

Elmer Miller, former longtime resident of Astoria, passed away Jan. 28, 2016, in Bend, Oregon, but Prineville was his home of two years. He was born in Lovewell, Kansas, to Mannie and Lillie Mae “Sipp” Miller on Jan. 9, 1931. During his youthful years, he was raised on a farm as well as worked as a farmhand, helping the local farmers when he was not in school. He joined the Navy in 1950 from Topeka, Kansas, and shortly after was stationed at Astoria, Oregon. He met the love of his life Barbara Jean “BJ” Hansen, and the two married Oct. 6, 1951. From August 1952 to March 1953, he served in the Korean War, and was honorably discharged from the Navy in June of 1954. In 1955, Elmer and Barb had a son. Elmer was a sandblaster for the civil service out at Tongue Point, where he received the nickname “Sandy” by everyone who knew him. As side jobs, he was in the National Guard, drove cab and helped his wife with her business, the Star Riding Academy, a horse riding academy, for 18 years. He retired from the civil service. Together with his wife, for nine years, they owned and operated Warrenton Florist until 1971. He volunteered his time to assist with elderly dialysis patients that Barb took care of, and also went on to work as a maintenance worker at Gearhart By The Sea for over 10 years. At age 74, he retired to stay home and take care of Barb until she passed in 2006. He was an avid church member who loved the Lord, and was not afraid to share with anyone who would listen about God. He loved to garden, hunt, fish, ride motorcycles, and volunteered at the veterans’ stand at Fred Meyer, participating in the parade with the veterans, and always “tinkering” around the house creating beautiful art. He had a passion for animals, but most of all is remembered for his passion for his dogs. He enjoyed the outdoors, waking up to a cup of coffee, sitting outside to feed “his” squirrels and chipmunks, watch the elk play in the field, or just listen to the birds sing their songs. He loved his family, whether by blood or blended. He loved people, sharing his stories on life, and teaching things he has learned from life experiences for the next generations to pass on. He is remembered as a kind, gentle, compassionate soul with a side of being a prankster and telling jokes. Elmer, although older in life, still had many friends and was not shy to make new ones. One of his favorite, almost daily rituals after his chores around the house were finished, was to go to Astoria Ford or to Lum’s Auto Center to drink coffee and eat their popcorn and socialize. Then he would head off to Fred Meyer around lunchtime to catch friends, or make new ones, and catch up on life. During one of his Prineville visits, Elmer met a lady. After conversing daily on the phone, the unexpected happened and Elmer found a second chance at love. He packed up and moved to Prineville. On Nov. 30, 2013, Elmer and Adrianne “Anne” D. Williams were married. Inseparable, best friends, they would socialize at church and gather with friends up until the day he passed. Survivors include a son, Donald E. Miller Sr. and his wife, Tami; a wife, Adrianne D. Williams-Miller of Prineville, Oregon, and her children, Mary Anne and Jim Ferrell, John and Kimberly Steven, and David Williams; a sister, Helen Theleman of Downs, Kansas; a brother, Richard Mallory of New Plymouth, Idaho; a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Jack Hake of Big Rock, Illinois; a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Archie Thompson of Jewell, Kansas; a grandson, Donny and Lisa Miller of Astoria, Oregon; a grandson, David Miller and fiancée Joy Chester of Seaside, Oregon; a granddaughter-in-law, Kelly Miller of Warrenton, Oregon; a grandson, Aaron and Valerie Miller of Prineville, Oregon; a grandson, Cody Miller and fiancée Desirae Coen of La Grande, Oregon; a grandson, Brian and Suzann Miller; great-grandchildren, Corey Miller, Tyler Miller, Natasha Connelly, Melanie Connelly, Rebekah Connelly, Christopher Miller, Cheyenne Miller, Shelby Chester, Lacey Miller, Shayla Miller, Aleena Miller and Cadence Miller; a great-great-grandson, Mason Shivers; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a wife, Barbara Miller of Astoria, Oregon; brothers, Calvin, Kenneth and Donald Mallory of Jewell, Kansas; and grandsons, Daniel “Danny” and Christopher Miller. A memorial service will be held at Lewis & Clark Church in Astoria on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow. Private burial will be held later at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton, Oregon.