Jan. 14, 1931 — April 8, 2016

Helen Marie Miller, 85 of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 7:48 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016 with her family gathered around at her home following an illness. Her family is grateful to the staff of Hospice at Home, and everyone else who ministered to her and allowed her to be at home during her illness.

She was born on Jan. 14, 1931, in Granger, Indiana to Cleveland Charles and Gertrude Louise (Perry) Cole, and attended Niles Community Schools. She lived for several years in Baldwin, Michigan before returning to Niles.

Helen was a member of the First Church of Christ – Christian in Niles, and in Baldwin she attended the Baldwin Baptist Church. Also while in Baldwin, she raised goats, rabbits, and chickens; enjoyed mushroom hunting, dancing, and serving at the VFW women’s auxiliary. Her favorite pass-time was reading books, newspapers, and anything else containing the printed word. She always loved pets, and currently was taken by her new puppy, ‘Tommy Lee’; but her greatest love was for her family, raising her children, and mentoring her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack R. Miller; and by a son, Michael L. Benjamin, three grandchildren, four brothers, Clyde, Elmer, Harry, and Daniel Cole and sister, June Powell; and by a self-appointed son, Roger Terpening.

Surviving family includes her son, William Benjamin of Buchanan, Michigan and daughters, Linda (Bill) Stinnett of Cassopolis, Michigan, Beverly (Dennis) Smith of Buchanan, Sharon (Jimmy) Kaufman and Patricia (Bob) Kenney of Niles; step-children, Paul (Reneé) Miller of Saint Augustine, Florida, Marguerite (Tim) Fouts of Niles, and Tim Miller of Galien, Michigan; a daughter-in-law, Rosie Benjamin Terpening of Buchanan; 16 grandchildren and many great- and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and her puppy, Tommy Lee.

The funeral service for Helen Miller will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at the First Church of Christ-Christian with Pastor Derek Cromwell of the First Baptist Church of Berrien Springs, Michigan officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday at the church beginning at 1 p.m. Committal Services will be on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Cherry Valley Township Cemetery near Nirvana, Michigan.

Contributions in memory of Helen may be made to Hospice at Home. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com