Joseph E. Miller
Age 77, of Minerva, passed away in his home on December 8, 2013 following a 16 month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born May 18, 1936 and raised in Carrollton, Ohio, graduated from CHS in 1954 and was a veteran of US Air Force, He attended Riggs Lemar Barber College in Akron on the GI Bill after his discharge. After receiving his barber license, he owned and operated the Lincoln Way Barber Shop in Minerva for 9 years. When he sold the shop he was employed by Burns (Masco) Forging Plant in Minerva for 25 years and Valley Forge in Salem as a press foreman until his retirement.
He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trap shooting. After retirement he enjoyed learning how to Western Square Dance which he enjoyed very much and there he met many great friends. He had 12 years of retirement and spent it outdoors doing the things he loved with family and friends on his "farm" in Wattsville. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and was on the basketball and baseball teams while in Carrollton High School. He continued to follow the professional teams throughout his lifetime. He especially liked watching his grandchildren play baseball, football, soccer, play in the high school bands or cheerlead at their respective schools.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Sue (Abrahims); daughter, Lisa (Carl) Michel of Robertsville; son, Mark (Cynthia) Miller of Canton; 6 grandchildren, Nicholas (Jaclyn), Andrea, and Isaac Michel and William, Jacob and Joseph Miller; sister Judy (Roger) Westfall of Massillon and many nieces and nephews and close friends. He is preceded in death by his mother and father Ralph and Alberta (Hahn) Miller; and brother, William Miller.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minerva where at one time, he served on the church council, was a member of the property committee and sang in the Chancel Choir for many years. He was a member of the Buckeye Big Buck Club (trophy deer), the American Legion Post #357, the NRA and the Minerva Burliques and Red Lantern Flames Square Dance Clubs.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11:00 am in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 515 E. Line St. in Minerva with Rev. Steve Woyen officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Westview Cemetery in Carrollton. Calling hours will be held Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva.
The family would like to thank Aultman Hospital, North Canton Cancer Center located in the Hospital, Dr. Kahn and his associates, nurses and aides for their compassionate care given to Joe during his illness. He was treated with dignity and loving care. Also thanks go out to our friends and wonderful neighbors for all their generous acts of kindness. Their caring and compassion show the true meaning of friendship.
Memorial may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Aultman Hospice Care or the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).