WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Ruby Jean (Troyer) Miller, age 94, of Sturgis, left this world on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
She was born January 13, 1932 in Mio, MI to John & Anna (Miller) Troyer. The middle child in a family of nine children, she spent her younger years growing up in the Mio/Fairview area. After just six weeks of the ninth grade, she dropped out of school to help at home. This suited her just fine as she was never one to enjoy school. However, she spent a number of years attending Winter Bible School in Fairview which played a significant role in laying a firm foundation for her life.
In 1955 she moved to Burr Oak and soon met the love of her life, Lewis Miller. They were married June 3, 1956 in Fairview. Together, her and Lewis spent the next 42 years in the Colon area raising their family before moving to their current location north of Sturgis. She worked several years as a cook at Colon Public Schools and also at Thurston Woods as an aid.
She enjoyed gardening, fishing with her family, mushroom hunting, refinishing furniture, and oil painting. She made and decorated countless birthday and wedding cakes, and each family birthday was anticipated knowing she would be making the person of honor’s favorite meal. She spent innumerable hours canning food for her family and sewing clothes for her daughters. A member of Locust Grove Church, she participated as a Bible Study leader for many years for Heart to Heart sharing her love and knowledge of Scripture. She was a fierce prayer warrior, standing in the gap for her family and friends.
She devoted her life to her husband of almost 70 years, and to her children and their families, loving them unconditionally and without judgement and covering them in her prayers. Something each of them will miss. Most importantly of all, she taught them about Jesus. Surviving is her husband, Lewis; her children: Jim (Patty) Miller of Colon, Kevin (Joy) Miller of Burr Oak, JoAnn (Mike) Krick of Sturgis, Trudy (Jim) Zook of Lake Odessa, Karen (Craig) Keefer of Grand Ledge and daughter-in-law Darlene (Al) Bontrager of Sturgis, 23 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. Siblings, Edith Hooley, Wanda Foster (Jim Woods), Otis (Jane) Troyer, and sister-in-law Dorothy Troyer along with many nieces and nephews.
Among those waiting to greet her in Heaven were her parents, son, Mike Miller, grandson, Elijah Miller, great grandson, Austin Krick, brothers, Levi, Paul, Ray, and Clyde Troyer and sister, Delila Chupp.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Locust Grove Church 29525 Findley Rd. Burr Oak. Private interment will take place in Locust Grove Cemetery prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers the family asks any memorial donations be directed the Three Rivers Hospice. Envelopes will be available at church and the Schipper Funeral Home.
