Phillip Miller, 83, of Park Rapids, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018.

Phillip was born on Jan. 29, 1935, in Grand Marais, Minnesota, to Truman and Ida (Butterfield) Miller. He began his schooling at the Maple Hill public school near Grand Marais. At the age of seven, he moved with his family to southern Minnesota, where they settled near Winnebago, Minnesota, and he continued his schooling through the 10th grade. His family again ventured to northern Minnesota and settled in Aitkin, Minnesota, where he finished his public schooling, graduating with the AHS class of 1955. Right after high school, Phil entered the United States Air Force, where he proudly served his country until receiving his honorable discharge on Feb. 6, 1959. He later attended the Albert Lea Area Vocational Technical College where he earned his boiler license. Phil had a long career with the Malt-O-Meal Company in Northfield, Minnesota. While at Malt-O-Meal, he entered the Dunwoody Institute to study electronics. He received his chief boiler’s operators and electronics licenses while working there.

Phil married Janet (Hamberg) Miller on Nov. 7, 1998, in Myrtle, Minnesota.

Phil was a strong man of faith and loved to study and memorize the Bible. He was a faithful and active member of the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, Minnesota, where he served on the Board of Christian Education. Phil enjoyed airplanes and flying. He loved the solitude and peace he found while flying over the beauty of God’s handiwork. Phil was a talented sketcher and especially liked drawing airplanes. He also loved the beauty of northern Minnesota’s forests and lakes, where he especially enjoyed fishing.

Phillip is survived by his wife, Janet Miller of Park Rapids; his children, John (Kathleen) Miller of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Meghan Miller of Lake Preston, South Dakota, and Janelle Miller of DeSmet, South Dakota; his two stepsons, Keith (Merideth) Hamberg of Excelsior, Minnesota, and Kurt (Marcy) Hamberg of Fridley, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Truman and Ida Miller; and his brother, Burt Miller.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, at First English Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. Chris Davis officiating. Visitation was held on Thursday, Feb. 8, at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with military honors by Star of the North Marine Corps League.