Mark A. Miller

Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Teresa McConnell Miller; his parents, Sherry and Ron Miller of Bellefontaine, Ohio; and his siblings, Tom Miller (Laura), John Miller (Jane), and Nancy Williams (Andy). Mark was preceded in death by his sister Susan Miller. Other survivors are nieces and nephews who meant the world to Mark: Michael and Matthew Dwyer; Drew, Chris, and Ellen Williams; Patrick, Eric, Jennifer, Jessica, Jake, and Alex Miller; and Joseph, Michael, and Reed McConnell. A lifelong Ohioan, Mark was born on June 21, 1956, in Bellefontaine. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s from Ashland University. Mark taught high school English for more than thirty years, dedicating himself to his students and their development of fair, analytical thinking. He was on staff at Gahanna Lincoln High School in Gahanna for twenty-eight years. Prior to that, Mark taught for a combined four years at Northwestern High School in West Salem, Ohio, and Sylvania Southview High School in Sylvania, Ohio. In recent years, Mark developed an innovative and popular Film Studies course that he taught at Gahanna Lincoln. Mark was an internationally recognized film historian with a special interest in postwar British cinema. He had enormous respect for accuracy, and pursued his research across the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition to many articles and interviews published in Filmfax and other film magazines, Mark is the author of a standard reference, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and Horror Cinema: A Filmography of Their 22 Collaborations. A revised and updated edition will appear in 2016. Mark is co-author of The Christopher Lee Filmography: All Theatrical Releases, 1948-2003. Additionally, his perceptive essays about movies and acting appear in numerous multi-author books, including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney Jr., Dracula: The First Hundred Years, and others. Music was important to Mark. He was an accomplished drummer, and played with The Lords of Literature, a popular Gahanna band composed entirely of teachers.

Mark’s humor, kindness, and generosity inspired the people who loved him. He and Teresa made friends around the world, and welcomed many of them into what seemed to be a perpetual open house. Many will remember and cherish that hospitality. After his passing, Mark’s Facebook page swelled with tributes. Former students recalled him with respect and considerable affection. Many described him as their favorite teacher. Friends attested to his sweet and thoughtful nature, and said they were better people for having known him. In a frequently coarse world, Mark was a true gentleman. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 30, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. A memorial service at the same venue will take place on Wednesday, December 31, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Kobacker House or The American Cancer Society. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a special memory or to extend condolences.