Josephine Miller

Josephine Miller, 102, of Pokagon Township, Dowagiac, Michigan died June 13. She was born April 25, 1911 in Pokagon Township to Rolfe and Elsie Wells. In 1929, she married Samuel Miller, also of Pokagon Township, who preceded her in death in 1988. Mrs. Miller is survived by five children: sons Wilford Miller of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Darle Miller of Hollywood, Florida and Terry (Monica) Miller of Pokagon, Michigan; daughters Dawn Engelsman of St. Joseph, Michigan and Charona (J.E.) Lewellen of Medina, Ohio. A sister, Theona Kephart of Dowagiac and a brother, Rolfe Wells, Jr. of Dowagiac; twelve grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, survive. Preceding her in death were two brothers and a sister. Mrs. Miler graduated from Western Michigan University, earning Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. She taught in several Cass County rural schools and for twenty-five years at Justus Gage Elementary Schools in Dowagiac. Mrs. Miller long had a special interest in environmental issues and was an avid reader and historian. Family and friends were very dear to her and she warmly remembered her former students. Following her retirement in 1976, Mrs. Miller was active in community actives. She was a member of Alpha Beta Epsilon, Community Grange, Dowagiac Business and Professional Women, and friends of Cass County Library. She served as Southwest Michigan Area director of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel and was a life member of the Western Michigan University Alumni Association. Also, Mrs. Miller was a founding member and chair of the Cass County Women’s History Project researching, and through authoring many published articles, raising awareness of women who were pioneers in local community development. She was a long time member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Berrien County. Honoring her expressed wish and decision, there will be no memorial service or visitation. Inurnment will be in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. A private family gathering will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to charitable organizations of choice. The family is being served by Yazel & Clark Chapel. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Josephine at www.yazel-clark.com