Patricia Ann "Pat" Miller

Patricia Ann “Pat” Miller, age 88, formerly of Clifford Lake, Stanton, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2026 at Green Acres of Greenville with her family by her side and under the care of Corewell Health Hospice.

The daughter of Frederick L. & Virginia (Thurber) Hansen, she was born on June 10, 1938 and was a 1956 graduate of Stanton Rural Agricultural High School and served as the secretary-treasurer for the Stanton High School Reunion Committee.

A founding member of the First Congregational Church of Stanton, she played the organ many times during her high school years, as well as being in the choir during those years and in her adult life. Serving as the church pianist, Pat also played the organ or directed the choir as needed. She also served as the church treasurer for six years, belonged to the Women’s Fellowship, served on the Missions Committee and Diaconate, and taught Bible studies.

On December 29, 1957, in Stanton, she married Jerry Dale “J.D.” Miller and together they raised three children and enjoyed over 48 years of marriage until Jerry passed away on July 31, 2006.

Pat graduated from the Butterworth School of Nursing in 1959 and worked as a registered nurse at Butterworth Hospital, for Dr. Gordon DeVries, at Sheridan Community Hospital, and at United Memorial Hospital where she taught the Health Careers class for Greenville High School. She later was the county health nurse and was there when the Mid-Michigan Health Department was established in 1966. She also was the school nurse for Central Montcalm Public Schools and for the Montcalm Intermediate School District.

Pat started singing in high school with the “Harmonettes”, a trio with her sister, Phyllis Wells, and friend, Arlene (Petersen) Greenhoe. They performed throughout the state, on television, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, at churches, and for many local events including the Stanton Anniversary Days and Old Fashioned Days, as well as making a couple of recordings.

After teaching piano in their homes for many years, in 2006 she and Phyllis started their own music business in downtown Stanton, The Main Street Music Studio, where they taught piano, violin, trumpet, organ and voice. Pat was also co-owner of G & N Equipment in Grand Rapids, and later part-owner of J.D.’s Sawmill, Inc. in Greenville for 22 years.

Always active in the community, Pat was a member of the Greenville Garden Club for nearly 30 years, serving as president for two years, as well as serving as a board member for the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan for six years and in 1996 was awarded Life Member in the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan. In 2005, she started the First Congregation Church Garden Club. For nine years, Pat served as the treasurer if the Stanton Community Closet, had attended Low Vision Meetings for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Six Lakes Chapter No. 417.

Pat battled ill health for many years, having survived breast cancer and Guillain-Barré Syndrome in 1994 that left her with disabilities, as well as macular degeneration and glaucoma. In 2016, she published her autobiography, “My Life, My Illness, and My Assurance in God.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry D. Miller; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Miller; two brothers-in-law, William Miller, Jr. and Warren Wells; a sister-in-law, Wilma Miller; and special friends, Mary Lou Johnson, Arlene Greenhoe, Carolyn Raymond, Katherine Smith, and Charlene Boorsma.

Surviving are her children, Scott F. Miller of Sidney, Mark W. & Kim Miller of Muskegon, and Angela Nalett of Potterville; a sister, Phyllis Wells; a brother, Lloyd & Judy Hansen; her grandchildren, Daniel Jay Miller, Carlton & Michelle Miller, Brandon & Maya Miller, Serena Townson, Brianna & Hunter Brian, Katlin Nalett & Ryan Outman; her great-grandchildren, Wilder Ann Miller, Payson Marie Outman, Aubrey Ann Miller, Braylin Andrew Outman, Braxton Lee Outman, Zaida Bea Miller, Willow Miller, Eli Miller, Betsie Brian, Annabelle Brian, Oaklynn Outman, and Weslynn Outman; and many, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S., Franklin Street, Greenville, and from 12-1 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Stanton, 305 N. Camburn Street, Stanton, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.

The Rev. Randy Bennett, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Stanton, will officiate and remembrances will also be observed by the Order of the Eastern Star and the Grand Rapids Area Nurse Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow the ceremony and burial will take place privately at East Montcalm Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, Pat would have appreciated contributions in her memory to the Guillain-Barré Syndrome / Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Foundation International (https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-donate/donate) or to the Association for the Blind & Visually Imparied (https://www.abvimi.org/your-help/donate-now/).

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Pat’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638.