Charles Merkle Miller

Charlie Merkel Miller, 89, went home to be with his Savior on October 25, 2025. He was born on September 2, 1936, in West Jefferson to Joseph Harold & Virginia Wallace-Simpson Miller. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly (Shelton) Miller, parents, Harold & Virginia Miller, and brother Joseph Miller. He is survived by his daughters, Lucinda Jean Miller-Zeallear (Robert) of West Jefferson, Malinda Merrill (Garry) of Jamestown, Holly Jean Payson of North Lewisburg. Grandchildren Charles Jacob Zeallear (Kari Ann), Christian Garrett Merrill, Lindsey Jordan Turner (Nickolas), Justin Reisinger (Brook Zollinger), and Dakota Sowards (Talore Browning). Grafted into our Miller family tree is Lora Cotton & Tina Miller. 

He became a member of the First Baptist Church, West Jefferson, in 1953. A graduate of WJHS Class of 1954. Charlie served as a village Councilman for 6 years, and he was the longest-serving Mayor in the history of West Jefferson, 18+ years. A veteran of the Korean War Era, Army, and a veteran of Desert Storm, Air Force. Also serving in the Army National Guard, and Air Force Reserves. Retiring with 25 years of military service. Serving in Germany, Spain, Azores, and Panama. Awarded the following medals: Air Force Commendation, Air Force Achievement, Army Good Conduct, Air Force Reserve Meritorious, National Defense, Air Force Reserve, and Army Achievement. A meat cutter for the Darby Lane IGA store, owner and operator of Miller’s Quality Meats, and retired as a Quality Assurance Technician from the MAC TOOL CO. Was a vehicle transporter for Bobby Layman Chevrolet and Bobb Automotive. Served as chairman of the West Jefferson 76’ers Bicentennial Committee, Charter member of the Madison County Historical Society, and the West Jefferson Historical Society. Guest columnist for the Madison Press, 100 years ago. Twice awarded the Stanley Works World Wide Community Service Award and winner of the Community Builders Award from F & AM West Jefferson Lodge 221, and from the Grand Lodge of Ohio. He served as Grand Marshall of the West Jefferson Ox Roast Labor Day Parade, 2018. He and his wife were avid travelers, driving in all 50 states, provinces, and territories of Canada, most of Mexico, Central America, numerous South American countries, all of Western Europe, most of Eastern Europe, Iceland, and New Zealand. 

Visitation will be held on MONDAY, November 3, 2025, from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm, at the RADER-McDONALD-TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 1355 W. MAIN STREET, WEST JEFFERSON, OHIO, 43162. A Celebration Of Life will be held TUESDAY, November 4, 2025, at the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 686 West Jefferson-Kiousville Road, with Visitation at 12:00 pm. and the Service at 1:00pm. Burial with Honors will follow at Hampton Cemetery, West Jefferson, Ohio.