Neil H. Miller

Our beloved father and family patriarch, Neil Henry Miller went home to be with the Lord on the evening of Friday, June 24th, 2022. He was born August 23, 1928 in Newton, Kansas to Clark and Elsie (Kimball) Miller. Neil was the fifth out of eight children.

His intellect was something to admire and growing up he was a gifted student. He excelled scholastically and as a result had a passion for learning. He entered school at WSU and then transferred to Emporia State in 1946 studying pre-engineering. In 1949 he was called home to help with the family business, Clark Miller Produce, after his younger brother was seriously injured in an accident. He stayed and worked in the business and it was during this time at home in 1950 that he met his future wife Melva Vandervort. In 1951 he was drafted into the US Army where he taught artillery mathematics during the Korean War. It was during this time that he found his lifelong passion of teaching. He married Melva in 1952. In 1955 he decided to return to college on the GI bill and started classes at Wichita State University to become an educator. He graduated in 1956.

Anyone who knew and loved Neil understood that his passions were his love for The Lord, his family and teaching. He was a gifted lifelong science teacher and administrator for Wichita and Maize public schools. He loved his chosen profession and his students. In fact, over the years, many of his former students became “extended family” and he loved following their careers and personal lives. He was someone that inspired a love for learning. In addition to his teaching career he also started three successful businesses: Kansas Science Suppliers, Neil H. Miller and Associates, and ACM Removal.

We are heartbroken to lose his earthly presence, but we know and are rejoicing in the fact that he is worshipping his Lord and savior Jesus Christ in his eternal home in Heaven.

His brilliant mind, genuine interest, and engaging smile reflected his open heart towards others.Time spent with him always brought out warm and heartfelt stories that showed the beauty of his heart and love for others. These treasured memories include: his love for The Lord, the Foursquare Church Camps, meeting his beautiful wife Melva (aka “Putt Putt”) as she worked at the local soda shop in Newton, growing up in a family of eight kids and learning a strong work ethic at their family business “Clark Miller Produce”, his beloved family, his passion for teaching, and his students who reconnected with him over his latter years in life. He was so thankful for the amazing people that God encircled him throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clark and Elsie Miller, siblings Dorothy Ashcraft, Shirley Hall, Mark Miller, Vernal Miller, one grandson Nicholas Maddox, two son-in-laws Richard Brettin and Carl Clark.

He leaves to cherish his memories wife Melva of 70 years; six children Cindy (Steve) Maddox, Kenton (Connie) Miller, James Miller, Tamara Brettin (Clay) Hall, Kimberly Clark and Tara (Tim) Cunningham; 18 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three siblings Dale Miller, Sam (Bonnie) Miller, and Becky Crupper; one sister-in-law Elizabeth Miller and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and students.

A viewing will be held Wednesday June 29, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. , a celebration of life service will be held Wednesday June 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. both at Country Acres Baptist Church, 8810 W. Tenth St. N., Wichita, Kansas 67212. A graveside service will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cars For Charity Co., 1313 N. Webb Rd. Suite 100, Wichita, Kansas 67206, a charity founded by his former student, Tom Devlin.