Harry E. Miller

Harry Edgar Miller hit the road again on January 1, 2024, shortly after the New Year. Harry was born November 27, 1955, in San Diego, California, to Joed Miller and Mildred Lucille (Cole) Miller Riggins. He never met a stranger, and, to those who met him in his earlier days, he was always known as “Eddie.” After a ho-hum run in high school, he signed the dotted line for the U.S. Navy.  He started as an aircraft mechanic and soared, pun intended, through an opportunity to take flight engineer training. He served as an Airedale with Patrol Squadron VP-24 stationed out of Jacksonville, Florida, and would see deployments to Keflavik, Iceland, and Sigonella, Sicily. During his time in service, he met and was honored to call some of his fellow crew members lifelong brothers. After the Navy, he attained his bachelor's degree in clinical psychology from Indiana State University. He was a licensed social worker. With that, he became a counselor for Koala Centers in Indianapolis, specializing in inpatient care for adolescents with dual diagnoses for mental health disorders and addictions. He later became the Executive Director of the Shelby County Youth Shelter. He implemented Project Safe Place in Shelby County to provide immediate help and safety for young people. When his dad retired, Harry drove Bus 4 for Shelbyville Central Schools for several years.

On September 7, 1974, he married Elizabeth Anne Tower in Shelbyville. They divorced but remained friends. On January 7, 2011, he married Lori Sue Bushman in Shelbyville. She would enrich his life beyond measure, successfully removing his title of Road Warrior. He retired in 2010 and was able to focus his time on family and friendships, of which he had many close, dear friends. He was thrilled to round out his tour of the 50 states last year with a cruise to Alaska. He especially enjoyed visiting his daughter and meeting her husband and his bonus grandsons for his birthday back in November. Nothing was more important to Harry than spending time with his loved ones.

Harry is survived by his wife, Lori, his son, James Lowell Miller, and wife Samantha, and granddaughters Alexis and Conni, his daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Nelson, and husband Kyle, and bonus grandsons Connor and Lucas. Also surviving are his brother Joey Miller, (late wife Conni), nieces Neana Willis (husband John) and Brittney Kiewiet (husband Brad), his uncle Cecil Miller (wife Beverly), his aunt Jean Olin (husband Greg). He enjoyed lifelong friendships with Tim "Taco" Antle, Greg "Archie" Antle, his cousin Bruce Martin (late wife Mary), Ricky and Joyce Rexroat, and Clark Goldsberry.

He was preceded in death by his cherished in-laws, Dr. James H. and Betty C. (Groh) Tower Jr., who were monumental to Harry’s life and would help guide and mold the man he became through loving kindness and subtle wisdom. Harry would tell you he was blessed to have a man of Dr. Tower’s immense love in his corner.

Harry was loved deeply, and his family would like to request that you gather with us and share memories and fond stories of Harry.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., with the service immediately following, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana.

Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Online condolences may be shared with Harry’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.