Cecil Lee Miller, age 86, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas passed away at his home on April 15, 2023.

Cecil was born the third child of Cleo Ambrose and Lela Darlene (Maley) Miller on a farm northwest of Neosho Falls, Kansas on April 2, 1937.The first few years of his life he lived on different farms in and around Neosho Falls, Geneva, and Vernon, Kansas.

His first four years of education were spent in country schools. When his father got a job with the Santa Fe railroad they moved to Colony, Kansas. There he lived until he graduated high school in 1955. Jobs were scarce, so on February 2, 1956, he joined the Air Force. Cecil took his basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California.

When he returned from basic training in May of 1956, he married Ethel LaMoine (Durbin) Lathrom at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute Kansas on May 12, 1956.

In February 1960, he was discharged from the Air Force and the family moved back to Chanute, Kansas. He worked at the Burlington Overall factory until he took a job working for Churchill pumping units. In February of 1968, he went to work for the Boilermakers local 83, building and repairing coal fired and nuclear-powered generating plants for electricity. He worked there until he retired because of his heart in May of 1994. Cecil enjoyed dancing, fishing, buying and selling old cars, going to auctions, and tinkering around the farm. He was blessed with a wonderful wife for 57 years.

Survivors include four sons Stephen Miller and wife Robin of Fort Scott, Kansas,  David Miller and wife Jodie of Boxelder, South Dakota, Jeff Miller and wife Lisa of Parker, Kansas Ron Miller of Nevada, Missouri. Also surviving are a brother Gerald Miller and wife Audrey of Topeka, Kansas. 16 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife Ethel and son Larry, two brothers, Cleo Richard Miller, and Leo Dean Miller, three sisters Clara Mae (Miller) Harris Charlene  Mane Miller and Cleta Rosemary Miller. Cecil was also preceded by his parents Cleo Ambrose Miller and Lela Darlene (Maley) Miller.

There was cremation.  A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 28th at the St. Michael’s Cemetery in Fulton, Kansas.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday April 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice or Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.