SEYMOUR
James Keith Miller, 89, passed away Tuesday evening, Feb. 17, 2015, at Seymour Crossing in Seymour. He was a resident of Seymour.
Keith was born March 23, 1925, in Hensley Township in Johnson County to William Fritz and Zola (Prather) Miller. He was a 1943 graduate of Trafalgar High School and went on to serve his country during World War II as a Seaman First Class in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945. He married Alpha Dean Lucas on Sept. 20, 1946, in Franklin. She survives after 68 loving and devoted years of marriage.
Keith served the community for 23 years as an Indiana State Police officer from 1953 until his retirement in 1976. At the time of his retirement, he was a sergeant over the weigh station in Jackson County.
He worked for Cummins Engine Company in Seymour for 10 years.
Keith was a member of the Jackson County Fraternal Order of Police, the Pioneers of the Indiana State Police and a past member of the Retired State Troopers Association.
He enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo with friends and loved to travel, especially in the southwest.
Keith enjoyed crafts such as woodworking, oil painting and silversmithing. He even made rocking chairs for each of his great-grandchildren, whom he loved very much.
Keith was a Mason for more than 65 years and a Master Mason with the Seymour Masonic Lodge F&AM 146. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Scottish Rite and the Murat Shrine.
Keith was a member of the Morgantown Order of the Eastern Star, a longtime member of the Morgantown United Methodist Church and a member of the American Legion Post #89.
Keith will be missed by his wife, Alpha Dean; daughters, Ronda Ann Miller of Eustis, Florida, and Nola J. (husband Charles) Allen of Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida; three granddaughters, Marnee A. (husband John) Batchelor, Melissa S. (husband Kris) Hinckley and Erica S. Nicksin;and four great-grandchildren, Trenton Batchelor and Brady, Calvin and Ruby Hinckley.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents; brother Eugene Miller; and sister Jeanette Hegadorn.
The Rev. Jill Howard will conduct a funeral service at 2 p.m. Sunday at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry St., Morgantown. Friends may call from noon until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery in Morgantown. There will be military graveside rites conducted at East Hill Cemetery.
A Masonic Service will be conducted by the Seymour Masonic Lodge F&AM 146 at the funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Keith to the Morgantown United Methodist Church: P.O. Box 226 Morgantown, IN 46160 or charity of their choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.meredith-clark.com.
Information: (812) 597-4670
