Earnest Franklin “Earnie” Miller, Sr., age 80, formerly of Gowen, passed away Thursday evening, March 4, 2020 at home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice.  The son of Charles W. & Edith Pearl (Nelson) Miller, he was born on March 26, 1939 in Ionia.

On October 11, 1963, he married Audrey M. Leiter and together they raised five children and enjoyed over 55 years of marriage until Audrey passed away on June 15, 2019.

Earnie retired from Gibson’s after 37 years of service and had also served as a night stock clerk  at local supermarkets and driven truck for CW Tallow.  He was a long-time member of Shiloh Community Church. He enjoyed working on cars, camping, hunting and fishing, however, his greatest delight was providing for his family, which encouraged him to get up at 3:30 a.m. every morning for the rest of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Audrey Miller;  four brothers;  and a daughter-in-law, Carolyn A. Miller.

Surviving are his children, Earnest F. “Earnie” Miller, Jr., Linda Miller, Brian & Mariana Miller, Christina Miller, and Andrea & John Judge;  an “adopted” son, Mike & Nickie Turley;  his grandchildren, Angie & Shawn Roberts, Jay Helmes & Leah Lewis, Rodney & April Miller, Tiffany & Dana Tompkins,  Ryan Linebaugh & Jessi Miller, Kerina & Joshua Juarez, Briana Miller, Mitchell Miller, and Charles Judge;  eight great-grandchildren; special sister, Cathy & Roger Hausler;  his dear friend since childhood, Rodger Moore;  many other beloved relatives and friends.

Visitation is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2020 at Shiloh Community Church, 8197 Heth Street, Orleans, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday.  Pastor Ken Harger of Shiloh Community Church will officiate and a luncheon will follow the ceremony.  Private interment will be at Little Denmark Cemetery in Gowen.

Instead of flowers, Earnest would have appreciated contributions in his memory to either Spectrum Health Hospice or to the Spectrum Health Foundation-United Hospital.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Earnest’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit:  www.MichiganCremation.com  Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville.