Kenneth Charles Miller, who dedicated his life to the care of others, died Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the age of 65. Ken died unexpectedly on a beautiful mountain hike while vacationing with his beloved wife and dear friends in Mexico.
Ken was born on April 15, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Glen and Marilyn (Oswald) Miller. Ken was the oldest of four children and lived with his family in Haiti from 1961-1963 where he learned to speak Haitian creole.
In 1965, Ken and his family moved to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he lived until graduating as valedictorian from Bellefontaine High School in 1976. Ken graduated from Goshen College in 1980. There he met the love of his life, Doris (Boehr) Miller. They married on November 29, 1980 at Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson, Nebraska.
Ken graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1985. After finishing his residency in family medicine at Grant Medical Center in 1988, Ken joined Oakhill Medical Associates in West Liberty, Ohio.
In 2016, Ken helped to facilitate the merging of Oakhill Medical Associates with Community Health and Wellness Partners of Logan County, where he served as a practicing physician and Chief Medical Officer.
Ken held many leadership roles over the years, including as Medical Staff President of Mary Rutan Hospital and Church Chairperson of Jubilee Mennonite Church, which he helped to found. On March 30, 2023, Ken celebrated his retirement after serving the community for 35 years. Ken genuinely cared for his patients and found great meaning in his work. Ken and Doris moved to Goshen, Indiana on June 30, 2023.
Ken was steady, calm, and constant. He guided and comforted his family through worries big and small; enjoyed learning about history, science, current events, and religious issues; had a contagious belly laugh; was a faithful follower of Ohio State football; deeply appreciated nature, especially trees; enjoyed many genres of music; and liked to order the most adventurous food on the menu. Ken greatly enjoyed both domestic and international travel and visited many countries including Egypt, India, Canada, England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Israel. He was a dreamer and always looked forward to his next trip or hobby. Above all, Ken deeply valued his friends and dearly loved and found joy in his family. He will be greatly missed by many.
Ken is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Doris (Boehr) Miller; daughters, Christy (Kyle) Miller Hesed, Michelle (Nick) Miller Good, and Kelly (Pete) Miller Biddle; grandchildren, Helena and Iris Miller Hesed and Theo and Nora Miller Good; parents, Glen and Marilyn Miller; siblings, Kori (Larry) Leaman-Miller, Ed (Carolyn) Miller, and Janine (Dave) Ostergren.
Visitation (Friday, October 13, 5 to 8 p.m.) and the memorial service (Saturday, October 14, 11 a.m.) will both be held at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, 2509 Berkey Ave., Goshen, IN. A private burial will be held at Violett Cemetery. Pastor Tony Doehrmann will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.