Date of Death: July 7, 2020
Service Details
Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at Hohner Funeral Home with social distancing precautions.
Memorial service for family and close friends will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2020 at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1200 Arnold St., Three Rivers, MI, with Pastor Ron Moritz officiating.
Social distance seating will recognize Michigan’s recommendation. Brief visitation will begin at 10 a.m. prior to service.
Obituary Notice
Thomas Owen Miller passed peacefully Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family.
Tom was born in Three Rivers on April 18, 1944 the son of George L. Miller and Ruth M. (Bowersox) Miller.
He was united in marriage to Tracy (Hackenburg) Miller on August 21, 1965 at the First Baptist Church Parsonage by Pastor John Booko while he was home on leave between Basic Training and then on to Ft. Sill, Okla. for 8 months, then to Korea for 13 months.
Tom served his country in the United States Army in South Korea during the Vietnam conflict between 1965-1967. While stationed in Korea, Tom gained the rank of E5.
Tom was an active member of St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, and a Golden Eagle member of the Three Rivers Eagles.
A devoted husband and father to not only his sons, Big T was an influential father figure to many young men that his sons called friends.
He enjoyed restoring classic cars with his two sons, Tom and Tim, along with friends Bryan Bottger and Darren Arnold. Collaborating together, these men produced many vehicles that garnered national recognition through numerous publications – something in which he took great pride.
Tom was an Accredited Electrical Technician, receiving his diploma from Advanced Schools, Inc., enjoyed carpentry, small engine repair and was a renowned metal fabricator. Along with those hobbies, Tom enjoyed solving the world’s problems with good friend Hugh Hudson. While enjoying a cold beverage, their discussions evolved to the fact that there was no task too large.
Tom was an avid boxing fan … watching, not participating in, along with being a lifelong fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Chicago Bears football.
Tom retired from Armstrong Machine Works in 2006 after 37 years of employment, while serving as the foreman in the welding department.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Tracy; two sons, Tom Jr. of Three Rivers and Timothy (Melissa) of Portage; grandchildren, Morgan McClain, Lauren Miller-Grigg, Payton, Camron, Kaleb and Max Miller. His sister and brother, Shirley (David) Huff of Klines Resort and Jack Miller of Maumelle, AK., and life long friends, Mike Kline and Brandt Fischer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph, Richard and George; and sister, Ramona Kline.
The family wishes to acknowledge respite care nurse Carolyn Pell for her wonderful care of Tom, and the friendship she shared with the entire family and to Ascension at Home & Hospice.
Additional Information
Memorials may be directed to St. Peters Lutheran Church, 1200 Arnold Street, Three Rivers, MI 49093, or Ascension at Home & Hospice, 5220 Lovers Lane, Suite 140, Portage, MI 49002. Envelopes also available at Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding
Tracy, may God lift you and your family up during your time of sorrow. Tom was (and still is) a good man and his eternal rewards will come from above rather than below. You will see him again and enjoy his companionship. — Charles “Butch” Lott and Betty Lott, McKinney, TX
Tracy and family,. Just read of Tom’s passing. Our prayers are with you. God bless and comfort you in the coming days. Most Sincerely. Jess and Mary Fogleman
Dear Tracy
Even though we are neighbors, we just found out of Tom’s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ealy and Sharon Tomlinson
July 18, 2020
Tracy, We just heard of Toms passing tonight and were shocked……So so…Sorry, You were wonderful neighbors SO long ago,and Church members that shared the Love of Our Savior at St Peters…..Tom is in a wonderful Place with Jesus and knows No pain, and is completely at PEACE !! He was a Very Special Husband and Father…..We want You to know Our Prayers and Thoughts are with You, Tom & Tim and Families…..Our sincere Sympathy to All of You .
Dear Tracy and Family …was just doing my monthly look thru at the TR commercial obits
And was so sad to see of Toms passing.. What a great guy he was he could always make you laugh. I teared up when I saw his picture and wanted you to know my thoughts are with you at this time. Sincerely Gail (Lintemoot) Bolton
Sorry for your loss prayers and love …Jim and Nancy Fellner
Always in my heart. Such an amazing man. Keeping your family in my thoughts. Love to all ♥️
tracy so sorry to learn of toms passing our prayers are for you and the kids love herb baker
Tracy and family sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, got to know him while worked at Armstrong’s, he was great man he will be missed very much.
Tracy, Tom , Tim and family
Our hearts go out to you and our prayers are with you during this difficult time. Tom was a fun loving great guy!
God bless
Leonard and Deb Shippy
Remembering the great times we have enjoyed over the past 6 decades. Love to all of you Mary Kay and Andy
We are all sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom was a great guy in so many ways. Take comfort that he is at peace now.
Tracy, Tim, Tom, and extended families,
We send our heartfelt sympathy and LOVE to all of you…Know that you have been, and continue to be, in our hearts and prayers. What a pleasure and a blessing to have known Tom, and we’ll have many memories to cherish, as well. May God grant you peace and comfort in this most difficult time.
To the Miller family,
My deepest condolences to all of you, I worked with Tom for 30 years. He was a wonderful man and always had a smile on his face. My thoughts are with you during this very difficult time.
Knowing Tom like I do I bet he and Jerry Henry are up in heaven right now looking down and cracking jokes. They both know that we will all be along soon and it will be like old times. In the meantime we will miss him here.
Tracy, Tom, and Tim,
Our deepest sympathies to you all. Prayers for you all as you deal with the loss of your husband and father.
Most sincerely,
Belinda Knapp
Rest in peace Tom, life for you and your family has been hard. Now you can rest. Tracy and family, bless your hearts, you took good care of him during his illness. Tom was a great guy and lots of fun. Everyone who knew him will always remember him with a smile. You know you have our most sincere condolences.
Dear Tracy and family,
Tom was an amazing guy and a good friend. We were privileged to know him and we know that you will all miss him deeply. Keep his memory close to your hearts. We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!
To the Millers, my deepest condolences. Tom was truly a great man, loved his family. Rest assured, he is giving his all in heaven, as that is the way he was.
I just found out about Tom today and wanted to let you know how sorry I am for you Tracy and your entire family. May God surround you with comfort and peace during this very sad time. Judy Gilchrist Mohney, Stayton, Oregon.
Safely home, Thomas. Safely home. You were a crazy, fun, and great man. We will see you again, my friend. Until then, rest well in the arms of Jesus Christ.
Dear Tom and Family , my deepest condolences to you all with the passing of your Dad , He is in a better place now… My prayers to all
Dear, Miller family
My thoughts and prayers our with you. I had the honor working for Tom at Armstrong’s for many years. Tom was always inspiring, and always had a good story to make you laugh. You will be dearly missed.
Dear Tracy, Tim and Tom, please know that Arlan and I share your grief at Tom’s passing but also your joy to know that he now is in the arms of our Father. We saw you both at outdoor worship a few weeks ago which brought back memories of St Peter’s fellowship. Tracy, your prayers for Tom’s complete healing have been answered as he has entered into the eternal life promised by our Savior.
Words can not describe what Tom meant to me, going to miss you ole Tom.
Dear Tracy, Tom, Tim and family,
My sympathies to you. Tom will always have a place in my heart filled with laughter and joy as he brought so much fun to the workplace and anytime I ran into him after his retirement. He was a huge part of what made Armstrong grow a friendly, fun culture and close family feel and that came from people like him. He will not be forgotten. Prayers to you all as you deal with his loss.
Dear Traci and family, I am very sorry for your loss. I wanted to bring a smile to you by telling you a little story: My brother, George, used to hang out with Tom’s brother, Jack, and occasionally my brother got stuck having to drag me along with him (babysit)..we were 11 years apart…Well, one day my brother took me to Tom’s house and since I already had a crush on him, I chased Tom all around his house to “kiss” him!! I never gave up but he was just too fast to catch.😀 Traci, I am so glad you caught him!! Hope this makes you smile just a little. The memory always makes me laugh. Prayers to you and your whole family.
Dear Friends. Tracy, Tom and Tim…and your families as well.
Since I heard of Tom’s passing this afternoon I have thought so much about him and the years we have known each other. Tom was always Tom and this is what I loved most about him! So many years have passed since we met but some things never change. My heart is with you all as I remember this great guy who was husband and father to you and long time friend in my life.
Peace be with you….
Tracy, Tim and Tom,
My heart and prayers are with you. I pray God gives you his comfort and peace in this time. I was blessed to have Tom’s brother Richard for my step dad and fond memories of the family.