Miller, The Rev. Jay Arnold

The Rev. Jay Arnold Miller of Marion died at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha on Aug. 7, 2013, after losing his courageous battle with recurrent lymphoma.

He was born in Mendon, N.Y., on Nov. 24, 1929, the third of three children of Robert and Ruth (Mathews) Miller. He was delivered at their farm home by his grandmother, the “midwife” of the neighborhood, as were his siblings and many contemporaries of that area.

He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse under the tutelage of Miss Maggie Maitland in district no. 4, Mendon, N.Y. After graduating in 1946 from Honeoye Falls High School in New York, he attended Park College, now Park University in Parkville, Mo., graduating with the class of 1950. He stayed in touch with many of the members of this class remembering the wonderful years he spent with them. His graduate studies took him to Princeton Seminary, from which he graduated with a B.D. in 1953. A year of his seminary training was spent in England, where he developed a passionate regard for all things English. He returned twice more to England in later years for studies.

His first pastorate was a three-point field in northern Wisconsin which included Taylor County towns of Gilman, Hannibal and Jump River. There he met Dixie Joiner of Gilman, who six years later, in 1957, would become his wife of 55 years. His next charge was at the Presbyterian Church in Reedsburg, Wis. He spent seven years there and their first son, Mark Jay, was adopted during this tenure.

His next call was to Pewaukee, Wis., which became part of a parish of five churches, including Zion, Jerusalem, Wales, Delafield and Genesee. It was there that they adopted their only daughter, Marcia Jean. Having served seven years with this arrangement, a second son, Merrill John, was born and Jay was called to serve First Presbyterian Church in Marion, Iowa, where he served for over 20 years. He retired in 1993, but continued to serve as interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Manchester and later in Vinton, Iowa, also filling vacant pulpits where needed in several other Eastern Iowa communities. He became a presence in each of the communities in which he served.

While in retirement Jay and Dixie enjoyed wintering in Harlingen, Texas, where he served with other pastors in a park ministry a total of 10 seasons.

The Rev. Jay is survived by his wife, Dixie; son, Mark and fiancee Pam Hansen; daughter, Marcia Hunnicutt and partner Ron Dennis; son, Merrill and wife Rebecca Holdiman Miller; grandchildren, Nathan Hunnicutt, 23, Rice Miller, 13, Maxine Miller, 5, and Maizie Miller, 10 months; and stepgrandchildren, family of Pam. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Miller of Bloomfield, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Mary Joiner of Gulf Shores, Ala.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Kaye Joiner of Black River Falls, Wis.; and many treasured nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harwood; sister, June Cain; two nephews; and several cousins.

There will be a visitation from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Marion. A memorial service for the Rev. Miller will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at First Presbyterian Church in Marion. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Howard B. Chapman. Friends may also visit the family one hour before the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at a later date.

A memorial fund has been established in the Rev. Miller's name.

The Miller family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to those who participated in his care: doctors and nurses, aides and techs, pastors, consultants and the innumerable friends who have supplied so many of his needs and those of his family, not only at this time but throughout their lives.

Please sign the online guest book for the Rev. Miller at under obituaries.

Published Aug. 8 and 9, 2013 in The Gazette