Louis Leroy Miller

Louis Leroy “Bud” Miller, 97 of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI  556-9450. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Riverview Cemetery.  Military Rites will be conducted by North Berrien Military Rites Team.  To leave an online condolence please visit www.starks-menchinger.com. Louis was born on August 6, 1918 in downtown Benton Harbor to Louis Charles and Ida (Lange) Miller. He was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School in 1938. On April 25, 1942 he married Ruth Elaine Albrecht in St. Joseph, MI.  Together they enjoyed 58 years of marriage before she passed on May 6, 2000.  Louis proudly served his country in the Army from May, 1942 to December, 1945. After basic and advanced training in anti-aircraft artillery in Texas, he was shipped to the South Pacific area and later in 1944 and early 1945 Louis was reassigned to the 61st Machine Records Unit as an administrator clerk typist.  The unit was attached to General Headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Manila.  He received the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Battle Stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Battle Star plus the Victory Medal.  Louis was a life-member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Louis was employed as a Letter Carrier with the United States Postal Service from September 3, 1948 until he retired on December 29, 1978. He first worked in Benton Harbor and later in Berrien Springs. He was a life-member of the National Association of Letter Carriers.  During his postal employment he was involved in postal union activities both at the state and local levels.  As a state officer he served on the executive board from 1972 to 1978 and local President from 1972 to 1977.  February 1977 Louis became a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employers Association, Southwest Michigan Chapter 572. Later on he was employed by the Saranac Machine Co., St. Joseph Machines and F.P. Rosback Co. as a machinist and machine assembler. During the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s Louis was one of the top average bowlers in the Twin Cities. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph bowling association from 1946 to 1949 and Executive Board member of the Blossomland Bowling Association from 1950 to 1959.  The highlight of his bowling career came in 1951 at the American Bowling Congress tournament in St. Paul, MN.  He and his partner, the late Herman Krieger, in the 2-man event, rolled a score of 1310 to take 6th place overall. As a hobby Louis enjoyed gardening, especially growing hybrid roses. For nearly 20 years he served as a rose growing tester for Jackson and Perkins of Medford, Oregon.  Each year J&P would send him 2 or 3 plants to be planted and record their growth.  Only one rose he tested, named Georgia Peach, was published in J&P’s catalog.  Its bloom at times measured 6 to 7 inches across.  Each spring his home garden would overflow with blooms of crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips and in mid-summer with yellow and red cannas and tiger lilies. Louis is survived by a niece Joann Fisher of Groton, CT; a nephew, Louis S. Cohen, PhD of Everett, ME and numerous second and third generation nieces and nephews. Louis was preceded in death by his parents; wife; half-sister Salma Marie Cohen and half-brothers Harry and Frederick Murschel. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to: Animal Aid P.O Box 407 St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Lory’s Place 445 Upton Dr. St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post #1137 2616 E. Napier Ave. Benton Harbor, MI 49022 .