James Miller

James Addison Miller, age 86, passed away on April 17, 2026, surrounded by the love and care of his family, including his devoted wife Barbara, at the Beaver Dam Lake home of his daughter and son-in-law.

James was born on July 17, 1939, in Ellport, Pennsylvania. He lived a remarkable life filled with service, adventure, family and dedication to others.

He was preceded in death by his parents Orville E. Miller and Aletha Faye (Kirker), his brothers, Orville Ray, Robert, Ronald and Gary Miller; sister, Carol Morrison, and great grandson Kinser Brubaker.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Keidel, and his children: James (Callie), Bruce and Susan (Bill Patrick Sr).

He leaves behind three grandchildren: Krystal Brubaker (Aaron), Steven Bennett (Taylor), and Michael Patrick (Jean Ann); 6 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

James proudly joined the United States Navy in 1956, becoming an Air Traffic Controller. He served in many locations stateside as well as abroad. He left the service and continued air traffic control with the Federal Aviation Administration at the South Bend, IN airport. He was president of the local PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization) and then worked in the PATCO national office in Washington D.C. as the Director of Labor Studies at the George Meany Institute.

He retired after 22 1/2 years of military and federal service.

James and Barbara embraced life on the water when they moved aboard the Petite Jolie, a classic 32 ft. Hinckley sailboat, and had twenty years of adventures. They then started their land adventures in a Volkswagen van travelling throughout the U.S., Central America to the Panama Canal and Canada to above the Arctic Circle.

James will be remembered for his adventurous spirit and deep love for his family. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and in the stories that will be shared for generations to come.

A celebration of his life will be held at Titus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2000 Sheridan Street, Warsaw, IN 46580 on Wednesday, April 29 from 3-5. Military Honors will be held by the American Legion Post 49 starting at 3pm.