Michael James Miller

Michael James Miller, 49, of Ligonier, formerly of North East, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh due to complications of heart surgery. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ligonier, Pa. Michael was a 1979 Graduate of North East High School where he earned ten varsity letters; four in cross country, four in track, and two in basketball. He earned All-County honors in cross country and track twice and played in the 1979 City-County All Star Game. Michael was voted as the Outstanding Male Athlete at N.E. in both his Jr. & Sr. years. In the Erie County track meet his senior year he was voted as the Outstanding Track Performance with winnings in the 1600 & 3200m run and in the record breaking 3200 relay (8:04), which wasn't broken for twenty years. Also, a two time medalist in the state meet in his Jr. & Sr. years. He went on to college stardom at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, running in NAIA and NCAA National Meets in cross country and track, setting multiple college records. He capped off his senior year with a 3:46 1500 at the Division II Championship meet equivalent to a 4:03 mile and a record, which he still holds at UPJ, and being named as the Outstanding Trackman of the Year and earning All-American Honors. Michael graduated from UPJ in 1983 with a degree in computer science and math, also a master's degree from Frostburg. After working more than a year at Ridge Rack he obtained a teaching certificate from Edinboro and taught middle school math and computers for more than 24 years at Meyersdale, Pa. He also followed his passion for coaching girl's basketball, cross country, and track. He coached Meyersdale athletes to numerous state medals including a state title in the mile in 2007. Michael was preceded in death by a brother, LT.jg Patrick Miller, USN, and a sister, Colleen Pagan, of Orlando, Fla. Michael is survived by his beloved wife, Kristin Mattern Miller, and father to Alex and Christopher, all of Ligonier. He is also survived by his mother and father, Eleanor and Ted Miller, of Northeast; sisters, Dr. Michelle Miller, of Akron, Ohio, Cathleen Diehl and her husband, Brian, of Augusta, Ga., Kelly Trulock and her husband, Greg, of Orlando, Fla., and Maureen Young, of Garden City, Kan.; father and mother-in-law, Gerry and Jane Mattern, of Ligonier; sisters-in-law, Kim Ulery and her husband, Tom, Kami Schmucker and her husband, Jeff; and brother-in-law, Kurt and his wife, Janet Mattern, all of Ligonier; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Snyder Funeral Home Inc., Bell & E. Church Sts., Ligonier, Pa. A vigil service will be held 10 a.m. Friday in the Funeral Home. Additional Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East, Pa. Prayer service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. in St. Gregory's Church. Interment will follow in St. Gregory's Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials may be made to: Michael J. Miller Scholarship Fund for Meyersdale Track and Cross Country Teams.