Victor Miller

Victor A. Miller, 84, of Sodus, passed away Monday, April 14, 2008. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:30 AM Tuesday, April 22, 2008, with John Nye officiating at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Visitation, on Monday evening, is from 5:00 PM to7:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home or the Soup Kitchen. Those wishing to send a condolence message online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Victor was born December 9, 1923 in Benton Harbor, to Walter and Lillie (Welhoelder) Miller. Victor was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, and as a member of Triangle Fraternity. He served his country in the U.S Army as a Tech Sergeant in the Corps of Engineering in the Philippines and New Guinea during WWII. While working for General Electric as a Test Engineer in Pittsfield, MA, Victor met Helen Tenney Gardner, who was a high school teacher in a near-by town. On August 20, 1950 they were married, and Victor moved his bride to Michigan. Victor provided thousands of jobs for the community through the companies his father started: Modern Plastics Corporation, Plastic Masters Inc. and V-M Corporation. Victor believed that his employees were his greatest asset. His philosophy was to see the good potential in everyone, and to conduct business from the stand point of hard work, honesty and pride. Victor enjoyed conversing with the employees and listening to their ideas. One of his biggest goals was creating good jobs for local people. Victor was a loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather who had an optimistic outlook on life, often with a humorous touch, and approached new ventures with enthusiasm. He loved helping others, enjoyed playing chess, swimming, traveling, and conversing on any subject, attending the Economics Club and the Twin Cities Symphony. Victor served on the River School Board for many years, and was instrumental in preserving the independent status of the district. Victor is survived by his wife Helen; children Val (Cliff Ford) Miller of Kodiak, AK., Greg Miller of St. Joseph, Bethany (Perry) Morgan of Kellyville, OK, Heidi (Rob) Orlaske of St. Joseph, and Cindy (Ken) King of Gilmanton, NH. An example of Victor and Helen’s generosity was exhibited when one of Victor’s employees died, and his spouse shortly thereafter, they took in Roni (Ron) Erickson of Knoxville, TN, as a young teen, and made her one of their own. They have thirteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son Randy and brother Stanley Miller.