May 23, 1942 — Jan. 21, 2016

Charles R. Miller, 73, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, Michigan.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, Michigan with Rev. Brian DeLong officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to his family in care of his wife Diane in his memory. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Charles online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Charles was born on May 23, 1942, in Wolf Creek on Carbon Hill Jasper, Alabama to Howard and Minnie M. (Norris) Miller. Charles married his childhood sweetheart Marla Jean Grant. They celebrated 42 years together before her passing in 2001. Charles loved having a good time. He enjoyed reminiscing about the good ‘ole days in Alabama. Charles loved his family. In times of illness his children knew if they could hear his voice all would be okay. Charles’s greatest joy was building a 1971 Chevy pick-up from the ground up. On Feb. 14, 2008, Charles married the former Diane Archer. Over the last several years they began building furniture together. Charles will be greatly missed by his family and his friends.

Charles is survived by his wife, Diane of Dowagiac; his children, Charles R. (Mary) Miller Jr., Julia (Brian Singleton) Miller, Mark Miller and Tracy (T) Hyatt all of Dowagiac; two step sons George (Tammy) Lovell of Wyndott, Michigan and Chad Lovell of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Jesse Miller, Kaylie Miller, Mallory Miller, Joseph Miller, Taylor Phillips, Grant Phillips, Anthony Miller, Jacob Miller, Zac (Danielle Taylor) Hyatt and Mollie Hyatt, two step grandchildren Brandon and Danika Lovell; great-grandchildren, Jayce, Evan, Jarrett, Rylan, Josie, Ryker, Tony Jr.; along with two sisters, Nina Jean Fox of Westland, Michigan and Barbara Ann Malzo of Waverly, Georgia, and a special friend Bud Drane.

Charles was preceded in death by his first wife, Marla Jean, and a granddaughter, Brooke Phillips.