July 16, 1974 – Dec. 11, 2024
Nancy Jo Miller, 66, of Culver, passed away unexpectedly at her home of natural causes.
Born in Rochester on July 16, 1958, Nancy Jo Zellers was the second daughter of Fred and Mary Jane Jeffrey Zellers. Growing up she shared her childhood with sisters Julie and Janet. She attended Rochester Schools and graduated from RHS in 1976. Aspiring to become a high school English teacher, Nancy earned her bachelor's degree at Butler University 1980. She later earned her master’s degree at Manchester College.
Embarking on her teaching career, Mrs. Miller was at Warsaw Community Schools for three years. She later accepted a position at Argos High School, teaching varying levels of English and retired after 35 years of service in 2016. While at Argos, she directed several plays and musicals including Roger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and South Pacific. A dedicated member of Heartfire Church, Nancy was the president of the Women of the Heartfire and served on the church board. She expressed her faith by providing spiritual music and being the featured singer on special Sundays. She also participated in Culver’s Blessings in a Backpack program.
On Dec. 18, 1982, Nancy married the love of her life, Ron E. Miller. They shared nearly 42 years of life's adventures. From their union, they had two beautiful daughters, Amanda and Cindy. Together they traveled to many great destinations like multiple trips to Hawaii, Banff, Canada and the annual trip to Long Boat Key, Florida. She and Ron also enjoyed traveling to Mackey Arena and held season basketball tickets watching the Purdue Men's Basketball team. Boiler-Up! With her girls, she enjoyed traveling to New York City to attend Broadway musicals and sightseeing and shopping on the up and down the eastern seaboard.
At home, Nancy was a vibrant part of the farm activity. She annually planted an abundance of sunflowers and gladiolus. She and Ron planted a truck patch garden that always included 100 tomato plants. From her kitchen command post, she shared her culinary skills with family, neighbors and friends. She was best known for her zucchini bread, cinnamon rolls and muffins.
Left to cherish Nancy's memory are her husband Ron, daughters Amanda Miller of Bremen, Cindy Miller of Bay Village, Ohio, her sisters Julie Korte of Indianapolis, Janet Cox (Dan) of Henderson, Nevada, two nieces Taylor Pereyra (Peter), Alexendra Cox, her in-laws Larry Miller (Debbie), Deborah Smoker (Greg), Mrs. Miller's students and colleagues from Argos Schools, her church family at Heartfire, and her treasured canine companion Jack.
Preceding Nancy in death are her parents Fred and Mary Jane Zellers and her grandparents.
A celebration of the life of Nancy Jo Miller is at 10 a.m. EST Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Her family will receive friends an hour prior to her service. Pastor Tom Harzula will officiate. Friends may also visit from 4-7 p.m. EST Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.
Preferred memorials may be made to Dollars for Scholars through the Marshall County Community Foundation, 2680 Miller Drive, P.O. Box 716 Plymouth, Indiana 46563 or to the Heartfire Church, P.O. Box 123, Culver, IN 46511. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
