Miller, Ruth Barbara
ORRVILLE — Ruth Barbara Miller, age 86, of Orrville, was ushered into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, April 18th, 2020, as her family sang hymns around her bed. Her family is so grateful that the Lord allowed them to care for her at home as she declined following her diagnosed of Lymphoma about a month prior to her death.
Barbara was born on January 22nd, 1934, in Manitou Springs, CO, to the late Willis and Matilda (Umble) Kanagy. She graduated from high school in Hesston, KS and from Hesston College with an Associate Degree in Education. She married Dean Ray Miller on September 25, 1955 and they were married for 48 years before his death in 2003. Her life was spent in quite a few different states over the years: Colorado, Kansas, Wisconsin, Virginia and Ohio.
Barbara worked as a teacher for the public schools and also taught piano lessons for many years. She loved volunteer work and spent time as a volunteer EMT, a released-time religious education teacher, a member of the Gideon’s Auxiliary and a worker at the MCC Connections Thrift Store.
Barbara loved music, bird watching, crafts, sewing, garage sales and spending time with her family. One of the many craft projects she was known for was her unique hand-carved walking sticks.
She was an active member of several churches over the years and loved serving where she could. Most recently she attended Orrville Grace Brethren Church with her son and his family.
She is survived by her son, Delmar (Grace) Miller of Orrville, OH; two daughters, Gloria (John) Gill of Augusta, GA and Wanda (Phillip) Buskirk of Somerset, CO; a sister, Martha Ann Kanagy of Orrville, OH; and a brother, Allen Kanagy of Manitou Springs, CO.
She was blessed with three grandchildren: Brian (Roberta) Munsey, Joy (Joshua) Steiner, and Josh (Autumn) Miller as well as four great-grandchildren. The last month of her life she was blessed to be able to spend a lot of time interacting with her two youngest great-grandchildren. They loved to go over to Great-Grandma’s “house” to deliver her supper, read books or play with her toy barn and marble track!
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Ray Miller; her parents; and a brother, Paul Kanagy.
The family will have a private burial service at Martin’s Mennonite Cemetery. A Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be announced and held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support the mission work of Josh and Autumn Miller (Barbara’s Grandson) in Papua New Guinea, c/o Orrville Grace Brethren Church, 2200 Paradise Rd. Orrville, OH 44667.
Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
