Patrick Jerome Miller Jr.

HILLIARD, OH –

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Patrick "Muck" Jerome Miller Jr., 87, on July 25, 2025, of a severe stroke from the previous morning.

Pat was born at home in Daisy Run in Shadyside, OH, on April 16, 1938, the only child of Wilma Kerry Miller and Patrick Jerome Miller. Pat was raised by his mother Wilma, along with her parents, Mary Forbes Kerry and William Kerry. "Muck" grew up there and graduated from Shadyside High School, playing football, basketball and baseball. He excelled in football, helping to lead the team to their first 9-0 undefeated season in school history as their starting fullback. He was also a standout pitcher for the Orangemen, as well as the local sandlot team, the Shadyside Civics, pitching several no-hitters along the way. He missed his chance at a Pittsburgh Pirates tryout when the invitation got lost in the mail and arrived a day after the tryout. And as they say, "Sometimes that's the way the ball bounces". Pat also loved to work on cars in his high school days, and thereafter.

After graduating high school, a certain sophomore girl named "Francy" caught his eye. After dating for a couple of years, and against her father's wishes, Pat and Fran ran off to Oakland, MD, to get married on November 14, 1959. It wasn't long after that their first child, Patrick J. Miller III arrived on September 24, 1960. With very few jobs available in the Ohio Valley, they moved to Mansfield, OH, for work, where their second child, Stephanie Jo, was born on September 23, 1963. Another job opportunity finally came along in 1965 and they moved back to Shadyside, where they also welcomed their third child to the family, Michael Alan, on July 17, 1966.

They purchased their first house in 1967 on Elk Avenue and resided there in the family's "early days", all the while dreaming of building a new house. That dream became a reality in September of 1974 after completing a two year "labor of love" - working another 5-7 hours after their "day" jobs throughout the week, as well as 12-hour days every weekend, to complete the task. The ability to literally build a house from the ground up is a remarkable feat, especially without any social media or "how-to" books to show him how to do it. These skills included manually digging footers, pouring concrete, laying block, using 2x4's and plywood to build the subfloors and walls, drywall, all of the electrical and lighting, installing windows and doors, exterior pillars, roofing, cabinets, copper pipes and plumbing the sinks and fixtures, and the list goes on and on. All the while, he was side by side on most days with Fran - they were both simply amazing! And they received some valuable assistance on the brick and block work from his close cousin "Buck". Pat and Fran spent the prime of their lives there, raising their family and enjoying the home they built. And after 26 years, they sold their dream home to move to Hilliard to be with their three children and spouses, and all of their grandchildren, where they recently completed 25 years. Pat was the ultimate handyman and could fix, repair, replace or build practically anything, AND DID! Everyone enjoyed the help and wealth of knowledge for the endless projects that he took on, always saying yes to any request.

Pat enjoyed a lengthy and successful career in the coal mining industry for 40+ years, initially working as a "union" mechanic and hydraulics repairman at the Central Shop in Powhatan, OH, for North American Coal Co., which was later purchased by Consolidated Coal Co. At roughly the midway point, he was promoted to a supervisory "company" position and led his team in every aspect of maintenance and repairs for all of their local mines. The work included rebuilding, repairing and overhauling long wall miners and all of the other equipment associated with the operations of mines. He retired at the age of 59, and enjoyed a ride home on his last day in a white limousine.

Pat and Fran were avid sports enthusiasts and you would see them consistently in the bleachers, stands or folding chairs enjoying the various high school and college sporting events of their three children, including baseball, football, wrestling, track and cheering. Later on, they both followed all six of their grandchildren in most of these same high school and college sports, as well as golf. Pat and Fran traveled near and far to witness many regular season and playoff games for Bo, Spencer, Chase, Austin and Meredith, including conference and state championships, college scholarships and college bowl games. They were especially proud of their last grandchild, McKenzie, taking on the boys in high school golf!

Pat was also an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed many trips in the great outdoors, from whitetail hunting in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana and Texas, to elk hunting in Montana and bear hunting in Maine. He was especially proud of his first big 8 pointer from the 1960's when there weren't many deer, to his Illinois 12 pointer, to his Boone and Crocket black bear, and his Ohio wild turkey, all of which were mounted in his den. He also loved to fish, beginning in Captina Creek and Sunfish Creek, to Lake Erie, and venturing off to the Chesapeake Bay and several spots in Florida. Pat had continued his whitetail hunting until the end, although he missed out on the opportunity to use his new crossbow and ground blinds for the upcoming 2025 season.

Pat was the ultimate family man and was known for his strong work ethic, which was possibly only exceeded by Fran. He was loved very much by all of his family, as well as the extended circle of friends he gained from being a spectator at his children and grandchildren's activities. If there was a family sporting event, there was a very good chance you'd see Pat and Fran in attendance. And depending on how well you knew Pat, you might have witnessed, or might have been a victim of, his multi-faceted sense of humor. He had the full repertoire of friendly digs, jabs, prodding, razzing, banter and BS. No one was better at stirring the pot, unless it was one of his sons or son-in-law, Dave.

In the last year or so, he has enjoyed spending time with his first great grandson, Bronco, aged 3. They have been fishing together on multiple occasions in the last few months. But, unfortunately, Pat didn't get to meet his newborn great granddaughter Gianna in Richmond, VA, only pictures and videos. Likewise, he will miss out on the birth of another great granddaughter due in November.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his close cousin William "Buck" Venham, who was raised with him by his mother and grandparents. Pat is survived by Fran, his loving wife of 65 years, who he liked to call "Sweetie"; children Patrick J. (Ann) Miller III; Stephanie Jo (David) Delande; and Michael Alan (Doreen) Miller; grandchildren Bo, Spencer (Alicia) and Chase (Morgan) Delande; Austin Miller and Meredith (Victor) Avery; and McKenzie Miller; as well as great grandchildren Bronco Delande; and Gianna Avery.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Jerry Spears Funeral Home, 5471 Frazell Rd., Hilliard, OH 43026. A short service will follow immediately thereafter, which will conclude the event. Pat will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. His legacy lives on in the stories we tell and the laughter we share.