Eugene Miller

Eugene Miller Jr., 36, of Spanaway, Wash., formerly of Grove City, passed away on Sunday.

He was born in Grove City on July 11, 1976, to Eugene and Georgia Childress Miller. Eugene married Rebecca Echevarria on Sept. 4, 1999.

He graduated from Grove City High School, Class of 1995, attended Indiana (Pa.) University and graduated from Mount Olive College, Mount Olive, N.C., in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Eugene enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1999 and currently was a technical sergeant at McChord Air Force Base in Washington. He was a member of the Military Honor Guard for one year at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in, Goldsboro, N.C., and for three years he was an instructor for air emergency and evacuation at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.

Throughout his military career, Eugene received three “Airman of the Year” ribbons, which is the highest personal ribbon awarded in the Air Force, and he was honored with one “Instructor of the Year” award.

Eugene excelled in football in high school and college. He was a high school football All-State selection for two years and at IUP, he was All-Conference defensive freshman of the year and his sophomore year, he was All-Conference defensive player of the year.

He enjoyed playing football, basketball, baseball and golf, but most of all, he enjoyed downhill skiing. He attended non-denominational churches during his military career.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Rebecca; two children, Ayden Cole Miller and Abby Elena Miller, all of Spanaway, Wash.; his mother, Georgia Miller of Butler; his father, Eugene Miller of Grove City; his grandmother, Marcella F. Miller of Grove City; one sister, Charmaine A. Miller of Grove City; also an aunt that he was close to, Janet Bass and her husband, Tim, of Grove City; and nieces and nephew, Delathian Boanes, Messina and Solana Nastase. Several other aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George W. and Grace M. Childress, and William Miller Jr.

MILLER — Visitation for Eugene Miller Jr., who died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, will be Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church, 210 S. Broad St., Grove City with the Rev. Willard Morse, visitation pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.Burial will take place following the funeral service with military honors in Woodland Cemetery, Grove City.