Obituary for Kathleen Miller
Kathleen “Kathy” Miller (Murphy), known to her loved ones as “MeMe”, was 81 years of age and resided in Bloomington, Indiana. She was called to heaven Tuesday morning, February 28, 2023, at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital. Kathy was surrounded by all her loving family members at the time of her passing.
Kathy was born July 12, 1941 in Shelbyville, Indiana to Clifton and Carolyn Murphy. She was a 1959 graduate of Edinburgh High School, in Edinburgh, Indiana. After graduation she married the love of her life, Brent Miller, on May 14, 1961 in Edinburgh, Indiana. They were happily married for forty-one years until his passing in 2002.
Kathy worked as a dental assistant and office manager most of her career, but her priority was always her family. Kathy was the matriarch of her family; she devoted her life to family and friends and, most importantly, gave everything to raising her three children: Bruce, Brian, and Kelly. She made every sacrifice she could so her children could chase their dreams. She delighted in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren and attended their events faithfully. Throughout her life, Kathy found great joy in showing her Paint horses, spending time with and watching animals of all kinds (especially dogs, birds, and turtles), growing and tending plants and flowers, and spending time in the mountains, all passions that she inspired in her children. In a little book in which she captured some of her favorite quotes, this one from Rita Mae Brown stands out: “I have always believed a window into a person’s true nature is how they treat animals, children, and the elderly. A person who mistreats animals isn’t worth knowing.”
Kathy was lucky too; known for finding four leaf clovers and giving them to her family members for a little extra Irish luck. She was rarely without a smile and found the most joy in spending time with her family. She was feisty, full of laughter, and truly selfless. She was fortunate enough to live her final years with her daughter, Kelly, son-in-law, Chris, and grandchildren, Colin and Connor.
Kathy is survived by her son and his wife, Bruce and Tammy Miller; her son and his wife, Brian and Angie Miller; her daughter and her husband, Chris and Kelly Kilander; and her five grandchildren, Ashley Spurgeon (and her husband, Jesse Spurgeon), Drew Miller (and his fiancé, Monica Wright), Colin Kilander, Sophie Miller, and Connor Kilander.
Her family would like to share a traditional Celtic blessing as Kathy departs on her next adventure. We know she is safe in God’s loving embrace.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sunshine warm upon your face
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 6, 2023 at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third Street, in Bloomington, Indiana. Chaplain Joseph Neidig will officiate. Visitation will be held at The Funeral Chapel on Monday, March 6, from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. Burial will follow at the Clear Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family wishes that contributions be made to either the American Heart Association or Monroe County Humane Association in Kathy’s name. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence for Kathy’s family at www.thefuneralchapel.net.
Kathy was born July 12, 1941 in Shelbyville, Indiana to Clifton and Carolyn Murphy. She was a 1959 graduate of Edinburgh High School, in Edinburgh, Indiana. After graduation she married the love of her life, Brent Miller, on May 14, 1961 in Edinburgh, Indiana. They were happily married for forty-one years until his passing in 2002.
Kathy worked as a dental assistant and office manager most of her career, but her priority was always her family. Kathy was the matriarch of her family; she devoted her life to family and friends and, most importantly, gave everything to raising her three children: Bruce, Brian, and Kelly. She made every sacrifice she could so her children could chase their dreams. She delighted in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren and attended their events faithfully. Throughout her life, Kathy found great joy in showing her Paint horses, spending time with and watching animals of all kinds (especially dogs, birds, and turtles), growing and tending plants and flowers, and spending time in the mountains, all passions that she inspired in her children. In a little book in which she captured some of her favorite quotes, this one from Rita Mae Brown stands out: “I have always believed a window into a person’s true nature is how they treat animals, children, and the elderly. A person who mistreats animals isn’t worth knowing.”
Kathy was lucky too; known for finding four leaf clovers and giving them to her family members for a little extra Irish luck. She was rarely without a smile and found the most joy in spending time with her family. She was feisty, full of laughter, and truly selfless. She was fortunate enough to live her final years with her daughter, Kelly, son-in-law, Chris, and grandchildren, Colin and Connor.
Kathy is survived by her son and his wife, Bruce and Tammy Miller; her son and his wife, Brian and Angie Miller; her daughter and her husband, Chris and Kelly Kilander; and her five grandchildren, Ashley Spurgeon (and her husband, Jesse Spurgeon), Drew Miller (and his fiancé, Monica Wright), Colin Kilander, Sophie Miller, and Connor Kilander.
Her family would like to share a traditional Celtic blessing as Kathy departs on her next adventure. We know she is safe in God’s loving embrace.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sunshine warm upon your face
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 6, 2023 at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third Street, in Bloomington, Indiana. Chaplain Joseph Neidig will officiate. Visitation will be held at The Funeral Chapel on Monday, March 6, from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. Burial will follow at the Clear Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family wishes that contributions be made to either the American Heart Association or Monroe County Humane Association in Kathy’s name. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence for Kathy’s family at www.thefuneralchapel.net.