Martin J. Miller

Martin J. Miller, 76, of Floyd, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home with his loving family by his side.

A funeral service for Martin will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd with Pastor Paul Phillips and Pastor Ron Brey officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Floyd.

Visitation will be at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Martin James Miller, the son of Victor and Helen (Horn) Miller, was born August 28, 1942 in Charles City, Iowa. He lived on a farm his entire growing years with an older brother and younger brother. Martin loved to spend time outside, often alone, working or driving tractor. In 4th grade, Martin took apart a HAM radio and put it all back together by memory. He enjoyed challenges and was never afraid of hard work. Martin graduated from Charles City High School, NIACC and Kansas City Mechanics Junior College. He worked several jobs including pizza flipper, mechanic at his brothers’ shop (Miller’s DX), self-taught and motivated in many areas (wood-work, building, electrical, plumbing, cement, remodeling, roofing) which allowed him to help family and friends and eventually building his own homes, but most of his career was spent at Oliver/White Farm (Martin watched the winds of the 1968 tornado from his upstairs office).

Martin was united in marriage to Emily Marie Anderson on July 7, 1965. They lived in a trailer home on his parents’ property until the completion of their first home in rural Floyd where they raised three children. Martin and Emily pioneered Bible studies with other fellow Christian friends and began sending their children to Calvary Baptist Christian Academy that grew into a commitment even to the next generation. His faithfulness to the Lord and early prediction of the lay-offs and closing of White Farm inspired Martin to complete a pastoral online correspondence course through Wesleyan Ministry. He pastored two small country churches, Rudd and Howardville Wesleyan, where he served the Lord until his retirement. He became part of the local ministerial group, meeting with fellow church pastors regularly from other community churches and had the privilege of officiating at weddings, funerals and graduations.

Martin enjoyed building toy riding tractors for his grandchildren and sold many. He also restored a classic Dodge pick-up and 1931 Chevy which he transported to California to sell. His other interests included day trips, biking, canoeing, juicing apples for cider, gardening, traditional family and/or friend gatherings, studying the Bible and prophecy, organizing his files, along with business or projects of any kind.

Martin was a kind and gentle man who was loved by many. He was known for his intelligent quick wit, contagious laugh, wisdom and just general knowledge covering various topics. His Faith, Family and Friends were most important to him.

Living family members include his wife of almost 54 years, Emily; daughter, Christine (Charlie) Newman; son, Michael (Amy) Miller; son, Paul (Jenny) Miller; eight grandchildren: Tim Newman (fiancée Stephanie Perrin), Laura (Seth) Binion, Andrew (Beth) Newman, Meagan Miller, Ben Miller, Emma Miller, Mason Miller and Brooklyn Miller; five great-grandchildren: Vivian, Maximus, Ruby, Henry and Mackenna; brother, Fred (Patty) Miller; sister-in-law, Sandy Miller; along with several nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Helen Miller and his brother, Dale Miller.

Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.