Obituary
Elton Nathan Miller, age 76, of Estacada, Oregon, died August 17, 2026 in Boring, Oregon. He was born on July 2, 1950, in Estacada, the youngest son of the late Abraham and Olive (Bucher) Miller.
He started school in the little one-room school house on the corner by Bowman Rd., then went to Estacada for grade school, and Elliot Prairie in Hubbard for high school.
In 1969, he went to Red Lake, Ontario, to serve in a children's home under Northern Light Gospel Mission for his 1-W service. While serving his two years, he developed a special relationship with the next-door guesthouse cook, Viola Mullet. Before engagement, he was asked if they would serve together at a mission outpost. They were married on December 31, 1971, in Ohio and returned to Armstrong, Ontario, which was a little railroad town at the end of the road, where he pastored for 10 years. He also volunteered for the towns' ambulance service as driver. Their 5 children joined their home in Ontario.
In 1983, he moved his family to Estacada to assist his parents since they were aging. He worked for Yoder Stove for a year and then a little in construction. In 1985 he started working at Eagle Foundry in Eagle Creek, working the graveyard shift. He moved through various positions till he applied for a position in the pattern shop, where he mastered the art of pattern making. He worked there 30 years till his retirement.
He lived a life of service. He and Viola enjoyed exhibiting homeschool materials for Christian Light Education, cooking meals for the Los Angeles street meetings, and spending a number of months in Iraq, serving as houseparents for some nurses under Christian Aid Ministries. He also served on the school board quite a few years, and helped start a Russian school in Portland. He always had time to go help a brother in the church or neighbor.
He enjoyed his family and grandchildren, getting them to help him with his projects. He could often be found cutting firewood for himself or neighbors. His love for cutting wood was evident to very near the end.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, 5 children: Sheryl Bontrager (Dave) of Estacada, OR; LaVern Miller (Judith) of Estacada, OR; Marla Rose Wolfer (Shad) of Molalla, OR; Carlin Miller (Katherine) of Yakima, WA; and Kenley Miller (Emily) of Estacada, OR; 34 grandchildren and 3. great-grandchildren. Also surviving are 3 brothers: James Miller, Merlin Miller and Philip Miller, and 2 sisters: Twila Musselman, and MaDonna Yoder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Abraham and Olive Miller, a sister, Margaret Miller and a granddaughter, Rosebud Miller.
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