(Dedicated Servant To Veterans And Church)
Leon “Lee” R. Miller, 79, of Newark, Ohio, passed away Feb. 17, 2026, at the Selma Markowitz Inpatient Care Center, Hospice of Central Ohio, after a 36-day battle with cancer.
Lee was born Oct. 9, 1946, to Rogers and Eve Doris (Swick) Miller in Liberty Center, Ohio. After graduating from Liberty Center High School, he earned an associate’s degree in business from Northwest State College.
Lee worked for 40 years at Clevite-Bridgestone in both Napoleon and Findlay, Ohio, as a transportation/material supervisor. After retirement, Lee worked as a “lunch lady” for Granville schools for 10 years.
Lee was a true servant. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Recently, he supported and sponsored many veterans for the Columbus Honor Flight. He served 10 years as a Kairos leader at Marion Correctional Facility.
He participated annually at the Church of God men’s ox roast for more than 40 years and was lay director of the Findlay Emmaus community. He served as past president of Kiwanis of Findlay. Lee was very active at Spring Hills Church, where he was a host team leader and involved in men’s fellowship.
He was easygoing, quick-witted and could make anyone laugh. Lee was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and loved spending time with his family.
He loved golf, billiards and playing euchre with his buddies at Reddington Village. He served as past president of the board at Reddington, but his true pride came from taking care of the clubhouse pool.
Lee is survived by his wife of 55 years, Connie (Keller); daughters, Karen (Eriech) Horvath and Myra (Chad) Gamble; grandchildren, Anastazia, Czarianna, Georgia and Roman; sister, Janet (Kerm) Cook; brother, Jim (Linda) Miller; and many nieces, nephews and too many friends to count.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Teresa Richards; brothers-in-law, Milton Spiess and Art Perry; and nephews, Steven Richards, Brian Spiess and Brandon Perry.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Spring Hills Baptist Church, 1820 Newark Granville Road, Granville, Ohio 43023. His service will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Tom Pound officiating. Burial will take place in the Maple Grove Cemetery immediately following.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio. Online condolences can be made at www.bruker-kishlerfuneralhome.com