Obituary for Michael C Miller
Michael (age 66) entered into rest on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in Spokane, WA. Mike was born on May 29, 1952, to Alvin and Anna Mae Miller in Tacoma, WA. Mike graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, before joining the US Air Force where he proudly served at Mt. Home AFB, Idaho. After discharge from the Air Force, Mike attended Tacoma Community College. He then followed an Air Force friend to Spokane, where he worked full-time at Valley General Hospital while attending Eastern Washington University (EWU) full-time. It was during his early years in Spokane that he met and fell in love with his wife, Lory. Mike and Lory raised two children, son Erich, and daughter Alexandria. Mike had a passion for higher education and received degrees in Journalism, German, English, and studied European history, just a few credits short of a Master’s Degree. Mike continued at EWU to receive his Master’s Degree in Education. Mike began his career teaching German at Gonzaga University. He also taught at Sandpoint High School in Idaho, and at Ritzville High School before beginning a successful 29-year teaching career with Spokane Public Schools at Shadle Park High School. For many years, Mike took student groups to Germany during summer break, introducing his students to a foreign culture. Over the years, Mike taught German, English, Journalism, Greek Mythology, and advised the debate team. Mike was a man who believed in equality, fairness, and people’s rights, always fighting for the underdog. He was a man who loved to discuss and debate issues. He was a lifelong Democrat who held several offices, including the Chairman of the 3rd Legislative District, Precinct Chair and worked on several local, regional, and national campaigns. Mike also belonged to the German-American Society, was the past president of the Spokane-Luebeck Sister City Organization, was Secretary of the Spokane Photo Club, was a member of the Washington Education Association, and held several positions in the Spokane Education Association Union. Mike loved music. He learned to play the guitar, enjoyed listening to his favorite rock and roll band, The Beatles, and collected their memorabilia. He was an avid baseball fan and loved photography. Mike is predeceased by his parents, Alvin and Anna Mae Miller, sister, Franciene Ontiveros, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Lory, his son Erich (Tia) of Loon Lake, WA, his daughter Alexandria Miller (Danny Jacobson) of Reno, NV, German son Arne Pietsch (Christina and sons) of Luebeck, Germany, the light of his life, granddaughter Skylinn Miller, Sister-in-law Maureen (Carril) Cramer, Nine Mile Falls, WA, special cousin David Coy (Peggy), Seattle, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews. The Miller family would like to thank Dr. Robert Margraf, Providence Spokane Cardiology, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation, Sacred Heart Medical Center, friends and family for Mike’s medical treatment and support. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 2:00 pm, at The Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Dr., Spokane, WA. In lieu of flowers the Miller family will establish a scholarship fund in Mike’s name at Shadle Park High School. Memorial contributions can be sent to The Mike Miller Scholarship Fund, PO Box 10296, Spokane, WA 99209.
Mike’s final lesson is: Four things you cannot recover in life ~ A stone after it’s thrown, the word after it is said, the occasion after it’s missed, and the time after it is gone. “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. Love is all you need.” The Beatles
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Mike’s final lesson is: Four things you cannot recover in life ~ A stone after it’s thrown, the word after it is said, the occasion after it’s missed, and the time after it is gone. “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. Love is all you need.” The Beatles
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