Eldon Leroy Miller, went home to be with the Lord at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Sebring, Fla. He was born Sept. 2, 1925, in Miami County, to Ernest and Ora (Blackburn) Miller. He attended Clay Township in Miami County until he went to the Army in 1944. On May 23, 1945, he married Mildred (Hullinger) Miller and she survives. They were married for 66 very happy years.

They lovingly raised four children, Karen (Joe) Zody, Peggy Petrone, Phillip (Patricia) Miller, and Teresa Hudson (Bill Webster). They have 14 grandchildren, Brian (Becky) Fye, Chad (Wendy) Fye, Justin (Laurie) Petrone, Blake (Desiree) Fye, Maghan (Kevin) Keller, Brandon Hudson, Drew (fiancee Ashlie) Miller, Jared Petrone, Garrett Hudson, Gavin Hudson, Taylor Miller, Jordan Petrone, Joel Petrone and Nolan Hudson. Also surviving are three special step-grandchildren, Doug (Emily) Winters, Ashley (Todd) Hissong and Brooke (Ron) Bryant.

Eldon was a member and attended Galveston United Methodist Church, a member and commander of Galveston American Legion from 1955 to 1956, as well as a member of the Elks B.P.O.E. lodge. He loved life, farming and spending winters at Buttonwood Bay in Sebring, Fla., for the past 26 years. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a great prankster and jokester. He was an avid Cincinnati Reds and Indiana University fan. He also loved watching any baseball game and spending time fishing in Florida. He raised tomatoes for 64 years for Libby’s and Red Gold canning companies. In addition, he raised sheep, hogs, corn, soybeans and wheat.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, very special nieces and nephews, including Dan (Barb) Kitchel and Bob (Mary) Kitchel. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Robert Miller and Albert Miller; and sister, Elsie (Miller) Kitchel and Evelyn (Miller) Zehring. He also had a very special employee and friend, Poncho, and Sylvia Villaneuva and their children, Frankie, Crystal and Ruby.

A celebration of Eldon’s life is 11 a.m. Monday at the Galveston United Methodist Church, 515 S. Maple St., Galveston, with Pastor’s Karen Koelsch and Pastor John Hrynk officiating. Visitation is 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Galveston United Methodist Church.

Memorials can be made to the Leukemia Society for a special 2-year-old friend who is battling Leukemia. Envelopes will be provided at the church. Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com.