Norman Herman Miller

MILLER Norman Herman Norman Herman Miller, age 83, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009, in his Maumee home. He was born on April 10, 1925, the third child of Herman and Elizabeth Miller. He attended St. Theresa's elementary school and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1943. Norm married Nancy Sexton on February 16, 1952, and together they raised ten children. Family was of paramount importance to him. Nancy and he nurtured in their children a devotion to family, a passion for the outdoors and natural world, a strong work ethic, and a deep faith. He firmly believed in the importance of lifelong learning, and supported his children in their educational endeavors in all respects. His children all attained undergraduate degrees and many went on to earn graduate degrees. But he also believed in the importance of practical knowledge, and taught his children everything from music to building trades and machinery repair. During the early 1900s, Norm's father and four uncles established the Miller Farm & Greenhouse Company on the corner of Secor Road and Dorr Street, at the present location of the University of Toledo's Rocket Hall. During World War II, Norm took over primary responsibility for the farm and greenhouse, and he continued to manage that enterprise until it closed in the late 1950s. He then transformed the company into a real estate development and construction company, which eventually became Miller Diversified, Inc. Under his leadership, the company has been involved in the construction and development of a number of residential and commercial projects, including Three Meadows in Perrysburg, Arrowhead Park in Maumee, Cedar Business Center in Perrysburg Township, and Briarfield Business Park in Maumee. Over the years, the company was also involved in a variety of operating businesses, including skilled nursing facilities, agricultural operations, and retail businesses. The hallmarks of his professional life were his integrity and fair dealing. His close friendships with many business and community leaders led to his involvement in many business and civic ventures. Norm never lost his love for farming. He owned a farm in Hillsdale County, Michigan, which evolved over time into a focal point for Norm and the entire family. The farm became a tangible expression of Norm's vision and spirit. He built and rebuilt historically authentic buildings on the farm, reshaped the farm landscape, and acquired a collection of horse drawn equipment that he used with his draft horses. Norm had a boundless curiosity and enthusiasm. From the time he began driving his motorcycle in high school until his final year, he traveled extensively in all 50 states and to over 20 countries on five continents, including camping trips with his entire family to Alaska, Europe, and throughout the United States. He camped and hunted in remote regions of the United States and Canada, but also explored ancient sites in the Middle East and cathedrals and museums in Europe. Norm unhesitatingly contributed both time and resources to many organizations and to many individuals in need. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club, and actively supported St. John's Jesuit High School, Notre Dame Academy, Adopt America Network, Historic St. Patrick Church, and Sacred Heart Church in Hudson, MI, among others. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kathryn. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Christopher (Judy), Janet, Jane Mackovjak (Mike), Joyce Konieczny (Tim), Claudia Anderson (Kevin), Jeffrey (Beth), Gerald (Ruth), Kurt (Kristen), Kathryn Natzke (David), and James (Lisa Kavalhuna); his 35 grandchildren and his sister, Lillian Carroll. Visitation will be at Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main Street, Sylvania, on Thursday, March 26, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Historic St. Patrick Church on Friday at 10:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Norm will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery, Hudson, MI at 4:00 p.m. The family wishes to express its appreciation for the care and compassion of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Comfort Keepers, and the nurses and physicians at St. Vincent Hospital. The family asks that any memorial donations be made to the Monastery of the Visitation, 1745 Parkside Blvd., Toledo Ohio, 43607, to which Norm had a special devotion, or to Historic St. Patrick Church, 130 Avondale Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43604. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.reebfuneralhome.com