Manchester Obituary: Durward Miller, 86

Durward John Miller, 86, died on January 15, 2016 in Ivins, UT.

He was born on January 30, 1929 in Manchester to John and Lillie (Bengtson) Miller. He married Ermaleen Stephenson at the Hill Air Force Base Chapel in Clearfield, UT on Sept 8, 1951. He was raised in Manchester, a graduate of MHS class of 1947, and attended Hillyer College after serving in the US Air Force 1950 - 1954. He received an honorable discharge. He was an active member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester and worked at Cheney Brothers Manufacturers, retiring as Vice President in 1979. He served on the Chamber of Commerce in Manchester, Boy Scouts of America for the Charter Oak and Long Rivers Councils and was recognized by the National Court of Honor’s Silver Beaver Award. He also served with the American Red Cross and was the recipient of the highest recognition for volunteers, the Clara Barton Award.

In retirement, Durward & his wife moved to West Rumney, NH where they co-owned and operated Miller’s General Store for 7yrs. He then worked in Real Estate with NH Colonials and Coldwell Banker Old Mill in Holderness and Plymouth, NH 1984 - 2009. He was an active current member of the West Rumney Community Church. He enjoyed spending winters in Sarasota, FL with family and dear friends and summers in NH where he and his wife owned homes in Campton (where he served on the Town Planning Board) and later in Plymouth, NH.

He was an avid music lover and entertained many folks with piano, organ, guitar and singing throughout his life. He was a member of the CD’s duo that played at fairs & events in the Pemi-Baker Valley area in NH. He enjoyed outdoor activities: hunting, boating, swimming, fishing, camping, hiking and always had a ready joke and a smile. He lived a life of service to others and will be remembered for his adventurous, fun-loving nature. He was a devoted husband, father & grandfather and will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched. As his niece said, “He was a man who changed a room when he walked in.”

He is survived by his wife, Ermaleen, daughters Kristine (Alan) Colledge of Lindon, UT, Sheila (Gerry)Bergeron of Ivins, UT and son Durward (Jill) Miller Jr. of Plymouth, NH, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, 1 nephew and sister Lorraine Warren of South Yarmouth, MA. He is preceded in death by his son, Kurt (Betty) Miller.

A Memorial Service will be held at West Rumney Community Church, 1218 Old Route 25, Rumney, NH on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 11am followed by internment at Pleasant View Cemetery, West Rumney, NH.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the West Rumney Community Church Memorial Fund.