Edwin Miller

Funeral services for Edwin Miller, age 88, of Bedford, who died Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center will be held Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation will be held Thursday morning from 9:00 AM until service time with the family greeting friends. Interment will be held at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Everyone is invited to a lunch following the services at the First Baptist Church in Bedford. Memorials can be given in his name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford. Louis Edwin Miller was born January 10, 1924, in the Gravity area the son of Port Miller and Grace (Pfander) Miller. He grew up attending school to the eighth grade and was united in marriage to Esther Lavon. To this union six children were born, Darrell Edwin, Karolyn Esther, Joyce Elaine, Janice Kay, Richard Lee and Karen Marie. The couple later divorced. Edwin was united in marriage to Marlene Seil in 1974. They lived on the farm in Sharpsburg until 1992 when they moved into Bedford where they made their home. In April of 2010, Edwin entered the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center after his health started to fail. Edwin was a farmer by trade who enjoyed corn shelling for the local neighbors. He loved Farmal Tractors, mowing lawns and doing yard work. He loved to go camping, watch Bonanza on TV and Big Joe Polka. He also enjoyed the produce from his garden. He looked forward to the Labor Day celebration at the Mount Pleasant Threshing Reunion. During his working years he also worked road construction and at the Gas Stop. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. The annual Father's Day Picnic was always enjoyed by Edwin and his family. The homemade ice cream was always a hit and especially if cherry pie was served along with it! He especially enjoyed going to the parade before the Lenox Rodeo and looked forward to Sharpsburg Friendship Days. Left to cherish Edwin's memory are his loving wife of 37 years, Marlene Miller of Vintage Park, Lenox, Iowa; three daughters, Karolyn Nelson and husband Gary of Creston; Joyce Majors and husband Bruce of Bedford; and Karen Wiederholt of Bedford; one son, Richard Miller of Clarinda; step-children, Lori Beemer and husband Chad of Elk Horn, Iowa; Brian Seil and friend Thom Ender of Fremont, Nebraska; a son-in-law, Joe Peterson of Bedford; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Howard Miller of Bedford; along with countless friends and extended family members. Preceding Edwin in death are his parents Port and Grace Miller; three brothers, Leo, Marvin and Elvin; a sister Lola; a son Darrell; a daughter Janice Peterson; and a grandson Dustin Nelson. Edwin will be missed by his entire family. The memories they shared will remain in their hearts forever.