Glen E. Miller

Glen E. Miller, who dedicated his life to the care and service of others, died on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at age 91.  Glen died peacefully at home with Marilyn, his beloved wife of 68 years, his three surviving children, and other family members by his side.

Glen was born to Charles and Bessie (Frey) Miller on September 18th, 1932, in Archbold Ohio, the fourth of nine children.  Glen’s early life was formed by close family ties in the context of the Great Depression. He married Marilyn Oswald in 1955, graduated from Goshen College in 1957 and from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in 1961.

After graduation from medical school, Glen and Marilyn spent two years in medical mission work in Haiti. This experience helped shape their values and worldview.  Glen was a dedicated and caring physician. He practiced internal medicine in Bellefontaine, Ohio, for twenty-five years, provided leadership as a hospital administrator for six years, and eventually served as Medical Director of Mary Rutan Hospital.

After he retired from medicine, Glen and Marilyn co-directed the work of Mennonite Central Committee in Calcutta, India, for seven years and subsequently worked in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and London, England. Over the course of their lives, they would travel to more than 40 countries.

While living in Calcutta, Glen suffered a severe heart attack. In later years he would have a second heart attack, two cardiac arrests, and coronary by-pass surgery.  He gratefully accepted each new day as a gift, even as he dealt with the mystery of why he survived against the odds.

Glen remained curious throughout his life and was committed to life-long learning.  At age seventy, he graduated from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.  In his later years, he drew on his expertise as a medical practitioner, his theological interests, and his own experience with heart disease to author two books: Empowering the Patient and Living Thoughtfully, Dying Well.  He also wrote a weekly blog from 2014-2016 with that same title.

Glen’s boundless curiosity was evident in his desire to know and connect with whoever he encountered. He loved to hear people’s stories and knew what was happening in the lives of his loved ones. He was an attentive mentor who guided and encouraged younger medical doctors and international development workers, as well as a genial host who made each dinner guest feel as though they were a part of the family. All who knew Glen will remember him for his loving kindness, generosity, wisdom, and humor, especially his children and their spouses, his grandchildren and their spouses, and his great grandchildren.  In his last years he wrote, “I want to be remembered for a welcoming smile, an attentive ear, and words of encouragement.”

Glen was predeceased by his son Kenneth Charles Miller who died on October 3rd, 2023.  He is survived by his wife Marilyn, Kenneth’s wife Doris (Boehr) of Goshen, Indiana and three children–Kori Leaman-Miller (Larry) of Denver, Colorado, Edward Miller (Carolyn Marzke) of Hyattsville, Maryland, Janine Miller Ostergren (David) of Goshen, Indiana–nine grandchildren (and their 6 spouses) and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, on January 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.  Visitation hours will be held on Friday evening, January 12, from 5:00 to 8:00, also at Assembly Mennonite Church.  Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, https://mcc.org/donate or to the Assembly Mennonite Church's Two Percent Committee. Use the church's link and the dropdown menu to earmark your donation: https://www.assemblymennonite.org/online-giving/