Dr. Alva R. Miller

1930 - 2022

Dr. Alva R. Miller of Eustis, Florida, joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 24, 2022.

Dr. Miller was born in La Porte, Indiana, Nov. 4, 1930, to Elden D. and Modelle Magnuson Miller. While there he attended La Porte High School where he was a junior class president and senior class vice-president, and played on the varsity basketball and football teams. He graduated in 1949, and later from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1956. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1958. From 1958 to 1971 he practiced dentistry in Rensselaer, Indiana, during which time he became a Fellow of St. Joseph's College in a class which included President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1971 he assumed the practice of Dr. Ronald Gardner in La Porte. Dr. Miller retired in 1997 after 41 years of practice.

On Jan. 15, 1988, Dr. Miller married Betty Vogel Vollrath, who survives to cherish his memory. Also surviving are two sons, Brett of Walkerton and Dr. Jeffrey of La Porte; a sister, Marilyn Bodwell of Mirror Lake, New Hampshire; two stepchildren, Lori Wilhelm of Holly Springs, North Carolina, and Todd Vollrath of Moscow Mills, Missouri; and two adopted children, Matthew Miller of Vail, Colorado, and Yvonne Miller of Florida. Also surviving are nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Miller was a life member of the Indiana University Alumni Association, the IU Varsity Club, the American Dental Association and Psi Omega Dental Fraternity. In Rensselaer, he was a member of the Indianapolis Murat Shine Temple, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and secretary and zone chairman of the Lions Club.

Dr. Miller was dedicated to his church, the Leesburg St. Mark Lutheran Church. He and Betty helped found the E.F.F.O.R.T. Center, which eventually became the Hearts and Hands Ministry, an organization providing food for the needy, in which he had been involved for 10 years. He enjoyed IU basketball games, reading and trading stocks. His favorite avocation was flying, but was forced to give this up after experiencing his first heart attack.

Dr. Miller was extremely devoted to his wife, whom he called the love of his life and his guardian angel. They had been happily married for 33 years. Together they spent most of their lives helping others and devoting their lives to Christ. They sponsored a Bible study in their home each week and spent much time reading the Bible. He relished his relationship with God.

A celebration for Dr. Alva R. Miller will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church with Pastor David Rosenau officiating. Following cremation, interment will be in the columbarium in Pine Lake Cemetery in La Porte, Indiana.