Leon Frederick Miller (who lived in Maryville, Missouri for 60 years) was born in Springfield, Missouri on June 2, 1919 –the oldest child of Marie Schultz Miller and Oscar H. Miller (a Frisco railroad clerk), who predeceased him.   Both were of German heritage.  Leon F. Miller died in Springfield on May 28, 2011. 

Leon was married for 65 years to his devoted wife, Mary Belle Harmon Miller, who survives him.  They were proud of their daughters, Carol and Gayle.  Their younger daughter, Gayle Miller Bilden (a graduate of NWMSU in chemistry) died in a car accident in 1979.   Leon is survived by their older daughter, Carol J. Miller, who has been a business law professor at Missouri State University in Springfield since 1984.  Even during his final days, Leon still knew Mary Belle and Carol and frequently told them how much he loved them. 

Leon is also preceded in death by his sister (Ethel Nagel Mack) and his brother (Harold Miller), but is survived by three nieces: Susie Herzberg, Cathy Koncilia, and Karen Hughes and their families.  He is survived by George Mack (brother-in-law), Elsie Miller (sister-in-law), and Dean Bilden (son-in-law); he is predeceased by Bill Cobb (son-in-law).   Leon also wanted his many friends to know that he greatly appreciated their friendship.

A graduate of (now) Central High School in Springfield in 1937, Leon was the state high school tennis doubles champion.  

Leon Miller was an honor graduate from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College (now Missouri State University) in 1940, majoring in history and English.   In 1985, he was inducted into the university’s athletic Hall of Fame for his three MIAA doubles tennis conference championships in college.  He served as Alumni President in 1945-46.  It was in the campus library that he met his wife, Mary Belle, who he married on May 5, 1946.

            Serving as a major in World War II, Leon was honored with a purple heart, a bronze star with two oak leaf clusters, a combat infantry badge, a European Theatre of Operations Ribbon with three battle stars and a Presidential citation for serving in the 79^th Infantry, 2^nd Battalion, 315^th Regiment of the 3^rd Army.

At the University of Chicago he earned his MA and PhD in Education before the Millers moved to Maryville in 1950.  At Northwest Missouri State University, Dr. Miller served at Chairman of the Division of Education and Psychology and Director of the Horace Mann lab school (1950-60), Dean of Instruction (1960-69) and then as the first Graduate Dean (1969-85).  It was under his leadership that graduate programs were first developed.  For most of his 35 years at NWMSU he coordinated campus accreditation reports.  In addition, he chaired the Little White House Conference on Children and Youth and was an AAUP chapter president. He received the Distinguished Educational Service Award from Phi Delta Kappa (professional educational fraternity) in 1982.  NWMSU honored him that year with the title of Distinguished Professor before his retirement in 1985.

            Leon is remembered for his extensive civic involvement.  He was especially active in Lions Club where he received the local chapter’s first Life Time Membership and was honored in 1991 with the Lions International Humanitarian Award for his contributions locally, as District Governor, and for his roles on the Lions Eye Tissue Bank, State Hearing Commission and Leadership Development Commission.  Involvement with the American Legion included serving as a post commander (coordinating the rebuilding of Legion hall), directing the State Oratorical Contests for 28 years, and chairing the local Boys State selection committee for a quarter of a century.  Dr. Miller was the national Vice Chairmen of the Americanism Council and directed two national oratorical finals, as well as numerous sectional and regional contests.  For over two decades he organized Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day celebrations.  Leon received a state Distinguished Legionnaire Plaque.  He was appointed to the Governor’s Missouri Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution in the later 1980s. 

            Dr. Miller served on the Nodaway County Board for United Way for nine years, was a Red Cross volunteer during his early years, and was a long-time sponsor of Vets Club among his numerous other civic capacities.  Leon was the last surviving founder of Hope Lutheran Church, where he served on the finance board for over 20 years and as President or Secretary during 14 years. 

            In addition, Leon especially enjoyed playing bridge, gardening and fishing as past-times over the years, in addition to driving the boat for water skiing.  In his retirement years, there was also Men’s Forum, Retired Teachers Association and a morning coffee group.

In his prime, Dr. Miller was a distinguished university administrator at Northwest Missouri State University, who faculty respected as being true to his word.   He gave generously of his time to the community, being an after-dinner speaker at numerous events, where his joke-telling abilities shined.  Leon F. Miller was a loving father and friend, a humanitarian, scholar, and role model for countless students, faculty and community citizens. 

His later years were sadly complicated by diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, from which he is now released, but he should be remembered as he was in his prime -- for his intellect, wit and service.    

            Memorials to honor Leon can be sent to Northwest Missouri State University Foundation for the Leon F. Miller Graduate Grant Award, to the Lions Eye Tissue Bank, to the Missouri State American Legion Oratorical Program or to Hope Lutheran Church.

The service for Leon F. Miller will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, Maryville, Missouri on Saturday June 4, 2011, with burial to follow in Nodaway Memorial Gardens Cemetery at the North end of Maryville.   Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 on Friday, June 3 at Price Funeral Home.