Born: April 25, 1911

Died: June 13, 2013

Josephine Miller, 102, of Pokagon Township, Dowagiac, died June 13.

She was born April 25, 1911, in Pokagon Township to Rolfe and Elise Wells.

In 1929, she married Samuel Miller, also of Pokagon Township. Her husband preceded her in death in 1988.

Mrs. Miller is survived by: five children, sons Wilford Miller of Sioux Falls, S.D., Darle Miller of Hollywood, Fla., and Terry (Monica) Miller of Pokagon and daughters Dawn Engelsman of St. Joseph and Charona (J.E.) Lewellen of Medina, Ohio; a sister, Theona Kephart of Dowagiac; a brother, Rolfe Wells Jr. of Dowagiac; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were two brothers and a sister. Mrs. Miler graduated from Western Michigan University, earning bachelor and master of arts degrees.

She taught in several Cass County rural schools and for 25 years at Justus Gage Elementary School in Dowagiac.

Mrs. Miller long had a special interest in environmental issues and was an avid reader and historian.

Family and friends were very dear to her and she warmly remembered her former students.

Following her retirement in 1976, Mrs. Miller was active in community activities. She was a member of Alpha Beta Epsilon, Community Grange, Dowagiac Business and Professional Women and Friends of Cass County Library. She served as southwest Michigan area director of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel and was a life member of the Western Michigan University Alumni Association.

Also, Mrs. Miller was a founding member and chair of the Cass County Women’s History Project researching, and through authoring many published articles, raising awareness of women who were pioneers in local community development. She was a longtime member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Berrien County.

Honoring her expressed wish and decision, there will be no memorial service or visitation.

Internment will be in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. A private family gathering will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to charitable organizations of choice.

Her family is being served by Yazel and Clark Chapel. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Josephine at www.yazel-clark.com.