Francis W. Miller

Francis W. Miller, 85, a 22-year resident of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., died Oct. 15, 2007, at Health Park Care Center. He was born in Morgantown, W.Va. He was a member of Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church U.S.A. on Ft. Myers Beach. He spent six years as a radioman in the United States Navy during World War II and returned for a tour of duty during the Korean War. Most of his World War II service was aboard LST533. During and after D-Day the LST made frequent trips across the English Channel delivering troops and equipment to Omaha Beach. Following his military service, he worked 20 years for the Penn-Central Transportation Company in Blairsville. He always enjoyed boats and boating, and living in a house on the water was the fullfilment of a long-time dream. Upon moving to the beach he and his wife joined the San Carlos Bay Power Squadron, where he spent several years helping to teach boating. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Laura Hamilton Miller; daughter, Karen A.J. Miller and husband Paul Maddocks; granddaughter, Katie Maddocks; three sisters, Margaret Shissler, Downingtown, Pa; Christine Bushnell and husband Emerson, Cape Coral, Fla.; Ruth Myers, Lancaster; one brother, Charles and wife Marion, Somerset; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His memorial service was held Oct. 20 at the Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church U.S.A.