Alan Paul Miller

Memorial celebration of life services for Alan Paul Miller, 64, of Lenox who passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, will be held Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lenox Community Center. Visitation will be held 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the Lenox Community Center. Memorials be directed to the Lenox Fire Department or Community Adult Residential Environment. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we 'Celebrate Life'.

Alan Paul Miller was born on Nov. 16, 1955, the youngest of seven children born to Joseph Eugene Miller and Rose Catherine (Novak) Miller. Cancer robbed Alan of his life on Jan. 1, 2020, at the age of 64 years, 1 month and 16 days.

Alan was raised on a farm southwest of Lenox. His morning were spent milking the family herd of Holsteins before hopping the bus to school. This was a chore he swore he would never repeat in his adult years. If he had spare time, it was spent running the country side on his Honda Trail 70 with the neighborhood boys, trapping, hunting and fishing. These were pastimes that he carried on throughout his life. Alan also had an affinity for four wheels as well as two. He started learning the auto body trade in high school from Richard Freshour. After honing his skills in Des Moines at AMC & Jeep, Alan returned to Lenox in 1977, where he worked for Don’s Body Shop for the next 42 years. He was also dedicated to the Lenox Fire Department, working up to assistant chief, serving for 28 years.

In 1976, Alan was united in marriage to Deborah Lynn Haynes. To this union was born Kristen Renee in 1978, Jaclyn Leigh in 1980, and Kurt Alan in 1984. They lived their entire life on East Kansas Street in Lenox along with the many neighborhood kids as part of their family. Alan was a caring and patient father and wonderful grandfather to Taylor, Kason, Wesley and Bobby J.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years Debbie Miller; children: Kristen, Jaclyn (Bryan) and Kurt; four grandchildren: Taylor, Kason, Wesley and Bobby; siblings: Cathy (Howard) Yarnell, Frances Young, Margaret (Patric) Murphy, Nancy (Rick) Long and David (Rita) Miller. His father and mother-in-law: Fred and Joyce Haynes; and sister and brothers-in-law: Jeannie (Paul) Shipman, Kathi (Craig) Braby, Mark (Tammy) Haynes, Laurie (Nick) Evans and Matt (Margaret) Haynes; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and many friends.

Preceding Alan in death are his parents: Joseph Eugene and Rose Catherine Miller, a brother, Stephen Eugene Miller and two nieces, Julie A. Young and Courtni Shipman Jensen.

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved!