Blair D. Miller

Blair D. Miller, 97 of Elmore, OH went to be with Anita and Jesus on Monday, April 15, 2024 at Riverview Health Care Campus, Oak Harbor, OH. He was born December 30, 1926 in Martin, OH to the late Cecil and Ruby (Gregersen) Miller. Blair was well known in the Elmore Area and had the ability to have a conversation with anyone like he had known them their entire life. He will be greatly missed and take much of Elmore history with him.
Blair was a 1944 graduate of Harris-Elmore High School. He then served in the United States Army as a Staff Sargent in Mid-Pacific Headquarters at Ft. Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii. Following his discharge in November 1945, he worked as a purchasing agent and inventory control at H.J. Heinz Company in Fremont, OH then Gerber Products in Sales.
On December 17, 1948 he married the former Anita Deno in Trinity Lutheran Church, Elmore. In this same year he also founded Blair & Associates Insurance Agency in Elmore where he owned and operated the business for 38 years. He also founded Properties by Blair, a Real Estate Brokerage Agency, also located in Elmore. Following his retirement, he became employed as Director of Development for Ohio District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In 8 years, Blair helped to develop $12 million in cash and planned gifts to Ministries of the Church.
Blair was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Elmore where he was confirmed (as an adult) November 21, 1951 and his confirmation verse was Rev. 21:10. Other services to Trinity Lutheran Church include: Chairman (3 years), Elder (3 years), Secretary (1 year), and Adult Bible Class Teacher almost 50 years. He also served as Mission Board Member and Evangelism Board Member for the Ohio District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Team Two Stewardship Ohio District LCMS, Delegate to Ohio District Convention, Delegate to LCMS Convention, Floor Committee for Missions, and also the Board of Directors for the Lutheran Homes Foundation. He and Anita conducted Witness workshops throughout the Missouri Synod, Ohio District.
Blair also spent a majority of his life involved in the Community. His service included: Past Elmore Village Clerk, President of the Elmore Businessmen’s Association, Member and President of Elmore Kiwanis Club, Coordinator of Red Cross Blood Mobile (10 years), President of Board of Directors for Mid Am Bank, and Board of Directors for Mid Am Incorporated; Currently a member of American Legion Post #279; Retired from the Board of Directors of Schedel Arboretum, Ottawa County Tax Abatement Review Board, Woodmore CAGE Fundraising Committee, Development Committee of Lutheran Social Services, and Board of Directors for Lutheran Homes Foundation; and was Director Emeritus for Ottawa County Community Foundation.
The Gazebo erected in Ory Park, Elmore was in honor of Blair and Anita’s Service to the Community. He enjoyed playing golf. He and Anita spent 55 years playing together. They played in 19 different States (including Hawaii), Jamica, Puerto Rico, and Ottawa Canada. Blair scored 2 holes-in-one, the first at Quail Hollow in Painesville, OH and the second at Haines City, FL.
Blair loved Music. He learned to play saxophone at age 15 while in bed from a farm accident, in a cast from the waist down. He played in the first Harris-Elmore Marching Band and also played in a local dance band for weddings, proms, etc. He danced at many area floors including Rainbow Gardens in Fremont, OH and Trianon in Toledo, OH. At one time Blair and Anita belonged to 3 dance clubs including Lamp Lighters and West Chester. Even until his death, Blair enjoyed listing to the many CD’s in his extensive collection, when he wasn’t listening to the Detroit Tigers. He also enjoyed playing Bridge. He and Anita played in couples bridge clubs for over 60 years with friends from Genoa, Fremont, Woodville, Perrysburg, Millbury, Toledo and Elmore.
Survivors include his children David (Donna) Miller of Columbus, OH and Monica Valle of Genoa, OH; grandchildren: Andrea Miller, Drew and Caleb Valle; and great-grandson Dean Mason; and sister Diana Henry. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Anita on May 7, 2023 following 74 years of marriage; brothers Jerry and Dale Miller.
Visitation will be Friday, April 26, 2024 from 4-7pm at Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elmore-Genoa Chapel. Services will begin at 11am on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Elmore with Rev. Stephen Lutz officiating, and where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:30am. Private Burial will be in Harris-Elmore Union Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are requested to consider Trinity Lutheran Church, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, or Ottawa County Community Foundation. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com

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