Nancy Miller

Nancy Jo (Burwell) Miller was born on 22 February 1950 to Margaret Mae (Fulmer) Burwell and Clare Everett Burwell.

She grew up in Flint, Michigan and attended Southwestern High School there, graduating in the top 5% of her class in 1968. Throughout high school, she was active in music activities, playing clarinet in the pep band, marching band, concert band, and wind ensemble. She was first chair clarinet. David Miller was second chair clarinet.

On 26 July 1969, she married David at Court Street United Methodist Church. They held hands for 61 years.

From 1968 to 1970, while Dave was serving in the Navy, she attended Michigan State University, majoring in special education and medical technology. She also worked for a time at the medical technology lab in Flint’s Hurley Hospital. Continuing her involvement in music, Nancy played in Michigan State University’s concert band as a freshman. Not many freshmen made the top band, but she was in it. Had Michigan State’s marching band allowed women at the time, she would have played in it, too.

When Dave’s naval career took him to Japan, Nancy decided to go with him. While there, they welcomed their two daughters into the family. When the Millers returned to the States, they lived for a time in San Diego before ultimately settling in Ohio.

While the girls were growing up, Nancy was always there for them and involved in their activities. When they were in Brownies, she was their troop leader. When they were in bands, she was active as a band booster and at band functions. As a volunteer at their schools, she supported students by tutoring those struggling with math as well as Vietnam refugees working on English.

In 1976, Dave started teaching photography at the Ohio Institute of Photography. Two years later, Nancy began studying at OIP, earning a diploma in Technical Photography in 1980 and an AAS in Technical Photography in 1985. She applied her skills for a time at the Children’s Medical Center in Dayton as a medical photographer. In 1981, she began working at OIP as photography instructor and technical photography department head. While Nancy and Dave were both working there, the girls would often spend time at the school with them.

Continuing her pursuit of education and teaching, Nancy attended Wright State University, graduating with a BS in Secondary Mathematics Education in 1990. Throughout a 20-year teaching career, she dedicated herself to ensuring that students left the classroom with more than just a passing grade: she wanted to ensure they also had the skills they needed to thrive. She pursued this mission working as a tutor in the Office of Disability Services at WSU, as a substitute teacher in local schools, and, starting in 1992, at Southern State Community College in Wilmington. There, she served as a tutoring coordinator, taught math classes, and helped students pursue their GEDs through the ABLE program. As a math teacher, she worked with students to help them truly understand the subject. She retired from public education in 2011 but never stopped teaching those around her.

For over twenty years, she avidly supported Sugartree Ministries, serving on the board and as an active, frequent volunteer. After she and Dave both retired, they volunteered multiple days a week to supply and organize the pantry, run grocery give-outs, cook and serve meals, and handle cleanup. Always the mission was to find ways to help people get the resources or support they needed. Her knack for problem solving ensured that even when the pantry was sparse there was enough to go around, and that there were ways to help people celebrate special moments even during hard times.

A longtime member of the Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, she served as deacon and in a variety of other roles, including in missions such as Blanket Bunch and a mission trip to support recovery after Hurricane Katrina. To the choir and bell choir she brought her love of music and lovely singing voice.

While she never looked for recognition, she was honored with the 2025 Clinton County Community Champions Award for her dedication to community.

In her personal life, too, she stayed active in a variety of pursuits. She loved tending her flowers and hummingbird feeders, and watching the birds and butterflies enjoy them. She loved keeping her hands busy, and enjoyed a variety of crafts. She knit to express her bountiful care for all those around her, both for family and people she didn’t know, blessing them with lovingly made earwarmers, hats, mitts, and snuggle bunnies. She loved sitting down to play games or work puzzles with loved ones, spending time to share stories and visit.

Words cannot describe the love she showed her family. She was always there, always engaged, always encouraging them in everything they pursued. And always there with a hug.

She was a blessing to everyone around her. In everything she did, she taught the joy in generosity and kindness, in loving others, and in loving God and sharing His blessings.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations made in memory of Nancy to the music program at the Presbyterian Church of Wilmington or to Sugartree Ministries.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 28, 2026 from 10:00am -11:00am with services beginning at 11:00am, all at Presbyterian Church of Wilmington.