Carolyn R. Miller

Carolyn Ruth Miller, 95, a life-long church musician of Oak Harbor, Ohio died Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Genoa Retirement Village, Genoa, Ohio. Carolyn was born in Oak Harbor, Ohio on June 7, 1920, to the late August and Emma (Libbe) Kenneman. Carolyn was a 1937 graduate of Oak Harbor High School. Carolyn was a life-long member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, where she began her music ministry journey. Carolyn shared her musical talents with St. John's and the Oak Harbor community for 78 years. In the past 7 decades, Carolyn was the organist and director of the hand bell choirs, brass instrumental group, children's and senior choirs for St. John's Church until she retired in 2010. She is best known for the single-performance concert that was always held on the second Sunday in December. Many former pastors of St. John's have stated that her Christmas Concert was the highlight of the year. In fact, one former Pastor, Bill Diehm stated "If there's anything that we're known for as a congregation, it's our annual Christmas choir concert and Carolyn Miller deserves the credit for that." While growing up at St. John's she had always wanted to play the organ and began her musical studies in piano at the former Toledo Conservatory of Music. Later, she took organ lessons from John Gordon Seely, who was organist at Toledo's Trinity Episcopal Church from 1919 to 1945. Carolyn began playing the piano at age 5, she gave her first piano lesson at age 12, and she gave her last piano lesson at age 93! In 1934, at the age of 14, Carolyn became St. John's assistant organist, playing on a pipe organ with three manuals or keyboards that had been installed in 1927. As she plied her talent, she received more responsibility and was eventually named choir director in 1940 and remained assistant organist through the 1960s. In 1967, the first pipe organ was replaced with a model that boasted four keyboards. It took five weeks to install and finish. On November 8, 1987, the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the sanctuary, the "Trumpette En Chamade" was added to the organ. On Sunday, October 10, 1999, Carolyn, 79/80 years old at the time, was the featured organist and blended her musical talents at St. John's with the Toledo Symphony. Carolyn was married to the late John M. Miller, raised 2 children, Rebecca M. Jones of Crawfordville, Florida, who survives, and John H. Miller, Jr., who preceded her in death. She is also survived by multiple generations of nieces and nephews. Also preceding her in death are her siblings, Mable Franck, Lydia Zehner, Lawrence Myerholtz, and Faythe Myers-Kuhlman. Carolyn was a member for many years of the Toledo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Monday Musicals, Chorister's Guild and the Mozart Club. She also was a long-time member of the Oak Harbor Literary and Social Club. There will be a graveside service on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., at Salem Township Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor, with Rev. Jon Bell officiating. In lieu of flowers, those giving memorial contributions may wish to consider the Organ Repair or Senior Choir Funds of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church or a contribution to a charity of the donor's choice. Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Oak Harbor, is assisting Carolyn's family and friends with arrangements, and online condolences may be shared at www.crosserfuneralhome.com. Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home - Oak Harbor Chapel 301 N. Locust Street Oak Harbor, OH