Medical Springs, Oregon
Jeremiah John Miller, 81, a longtime Medical Springs resident, died Dec. 5, 2001, at his home.
There will be a memorial service later.
Jeremiah was born at Baxter Springs, Kan., where he grew up on his grandmother’s farm. He graduated from Joplin High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, which took him to Randolph Field at San Antonio, Texas. There he met and fell in love with Adeline Kosharek. They were married on July 1, 1940, and spent 27 years in the U.S. Air Force where his career was in aircraft maintenance and engineering.
He was proud to have served his country through three wars: World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He was stationed throughout the United States, from Orlando, Fla., to Portland, Ore. He also served in the Philippine Islands, Korea and Japan.
He retired to Portland after he helped closed the air base there in 1967. He then attended Oregon State University at Corvallis and graduated with a bachelors degree in Trade and Industrial Education. He majored in fluid power.
He taught at Benson High School in Portland and built a retirement home at Springdale. He continued to be involved in aircraft maintenance for the rest of his life. He was very proud to have received the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award on July 5, 1995, from the Federal Aviation Administration. The award is given for 50 years of dedicated service in aviation maintenance.
In 1981, Jeremiah and Adeline moved to Medical Spring where he ranched and built a second home. Jeremiah loved being outdoors and appreciated nature. In his youth he was an expert swimmer and diver and often entertained at events with his clown diving.
He took his family camping often and to many beautiful places. He was accomplished in many phases of the industrial arts, especially woodworking. And of course, his real love always remained flying airplanes.
Survivors include his spouse of 61 years, Adeline Miller; his daughter and her husband, Vicki and Paul Wares; his son and wife, Frank and Robyn; and his granddaughters, Kristen and Grace Wares.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the National Kidney Foundation of Oregon through Grays West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 14, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor