Ethan E. Miller

Ethan E. Miller

April 4, 1982 - December 3, 2024

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Ethan E. Miller, who died on December 3, 2024 at the age of 42. Ethan was born on April 4, 1982, in Springville, New York. He was an amazing father and husband, extremely talented musician, and could accomplish anything that he set his mind to do.

Ethan's life reflected his passion for learning, growth, and personal development. As a talented and accomplished musician, he earned his Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance with a concentration in Jazz at Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory of Music in 2005. It was there, playing together in wind ensemble, that he met his wife of almost 16 years, Lauren (née Regas). The two were married at the B-W Chapel on July 18, 2009, and their amazing son, Desmond Honu, was born on September 16th 2017.

Ethan additionally earned his Master of Library and Information Science in User Experience Design from Kent State University in 2019 after receiving his Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from the same institution in 2007. Ethan was a professor and online course designer at numerous colleges including Kent State University, Maryville University, and Ashland University. He also maintained a private studio of both beginning and advanced saxophone students.

Ethan was a Conn-Selmer/Selmer Paris Performing Artist and Clinician, and he performed as a soloist with distinguished groups and venues such as The 5th International Competition Adolphe Sax in Dinant, Belgium, Classical Radio WCLV, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Bop Stop, Playhouse Square, and Cain Park Concert Series. Additionally, Ethan was a founding member of the Cleveland Saxophone Quartet, Trio Diverso, and Duende, a saxophone and guitar duo. His musical voice can be heard forever on Duende's album Travel Notebook (Centaur Records/iTunes) on which he collaborated with guitarist Krystin O'Mara.

In addition to his musical career, Ethan spent the last several years as a respected employee of Sherwin-Williams where he brought his passion for teaching, creating, and learning to his role as an Instructional Designer and Training Manager for Sales and Technical Service.

Ethan was a world traveler, going to places such as Hawaii, Australia, Belgium, Jamaica, and St. Thomas. He and his wife had an anniversary honeymoon planned for the Greek Islands of Naxos and Santorini this upcoming summer. Among countless hobbies, he was a scuba diving and marine-life enthusiast and aspired to retire with his family to his favorite place on earth, Maui. Ethan loved to bake and cook for friends and family, especially his artisanal homemade sourdough bread and enjoyed cultivating exotic plants including plumeria and hibiscus. Ethan dabbled in magic and adored his pups Remy and Bailey. He will be remembered for his outrageous sense of humor, and his ability to always make others laugh.

Ethan is survived by his wife, Lauren; their 7 year old son, Desmond; his mother, Wendy (Mike) Miller; his sister, Amber (Dan) Kmiotek, and their children, Sofia and Austin; his mother-in-law, Mary Vlahakis; his father-in-law, Michael (Denise) Regas; his brother-in-law, Matthew Regas; close family friend Bryan (Nikki) Banach; his Abby Normal & The Detroit Lean band family-Dean Walters, Dave Littman, Greg Robertson, Jack Borsi, Chuck Rickard, and Scott Richmond-and countless additional family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow musicians, all of whom mourn the loss of a brilliant, kind-hearted, and beautiful person whose life on earth ended way too soon. A Celebration of Life will be held near his home this upcoming spring.