L. Paul "Smokey" Miller

Columbus Grove

L. Paul "Smokey" Miller, 75, died at 10:25 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 15, 1933, in Cloverdale to Jerome H. and Teresa A. Erhart Miller, who preceded him in death. On July 28, 1956, he married Rose Marie Halker, who died Oct. 14, 1999.

Mr. Miller retired from Ford Motor Co. Lima Engine Plant. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2772, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9648 and American Legion Post 516, all in Columbus Grove. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He enjoyed raising steers and following the Chicago Bulls and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Survivors include a son, Dean A. Miller, of Columbus Grove; four daughters, Victoria (Ed) Cury, of West Palm Beach, Fla., Jacqueline (Gordon) Meyer, of Vaughnsville, Wendy (Mike) Gerken, of Ada, and Jeanne (Jim) Morgan, of Fort Collins, Colo.; four brothers, Kenneth (Carol) Miller, of Cridersville, Robert (Linda) Miller, of Findlay, Carl (Nancy) Miller, of Bowling Green, and Anthony (Vicki) Miller, of Findlay; seven sisters, Delores (Vernon) Miller, of Fort Jennings, Angela (Richard) Schroeder, of Kalida, Joan Waltman, of Delphos, Marjorie (Paul) Stechschulte, of Kalida, and Sharon Griffith, Janet (Jim) Cox and Anne (Robert) Craine, all of Findlay; 10 grandchildren, Mandy (Dan) Snyder, Anthony Kidd, Andrew Meyer, Kari (Derek) Stober, Todd Kidd, Christa Meyer, Mike Miller, John Miller, Amelia Morgan and Nick Miller; a great-granddaughter, Audra Rose Snyder; two brothers-in-law, Harold Halker and Lavern Hermiller; and six sisters-in-law, Maryann Halker, Mary Halker, Daisy Halker, Esther Halker, Janet Halker and Mary (Leroy) Fischer.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Miller; eight brothers-in-law, Eugene, Edward, Rolland, James, Raymond, Richard and Francis Halker and Richard Waltman; and four sisters-in-law, Margaret, Pat and Vivian Halker and Dolores Hermiller.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Columbus Grove. The Rev. Ron Warmimont will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove, where a rosary service will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony School Endowment Fund or Putnam County Home Health & Hospice.