David Miller

David Miller, 86, of Timberville, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

David was born at home on January 10, 1939, in South Wales, NY, to Alvin and Mary Miller. He was the youngest of four boys, and before he was two years old, along came a little sister. After moving several times, the family settled on a dairy farm on Colby Rd, in Corfu, NY. As a small child, Dave survived a fall from a hay mow, which cracked his skull. The church prayed for healing, and after a three-day coma, he woke up and had no lasting brain damage. He was a good student and enjoyed learning. On a second-grade spelling test, he did his best to spell the word “third,” but he forgot the “h”. His teacher said, “Not too bad for a farm kid.” He enjoyed all kinds of sports in high school, but his favorite was hockey, which resulted in him experiencing more than one broken nose.

Dave and Brenda Beachy grew up in the same church, and they were married on August 4, 1961. Dave graduated from Eastern Mennonite College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Science Education. Two of their children, LuAnn and Wayne, were born during his time in college. Following graduation, the family moved back to western New York, where Dave taught at Alden Mennonite School for ten years. Warren, Rebecca, and Michael were born in New York, while the family lived on a small farm where they raised chickens, goats, and lots of garden produce.

In 1975, Dave and Brenda moved their family to Florida, where Dave was the principal of Sarasota Christian School. Dave received his Master's in Education from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, during this time. The family moved again in 1979, this time to Virginia, so the children could attend Eastern Mennonite High School. Dave eventually went to work at Eastern Mennonite College, first in the maintenance department and then as director of the alumni relations department. He finished his working career at Page County High School, retiring from there after 17 years of teaching science.

Dave and Brenda loved to travel. They spent summers traveling to see family and friends around the US. Dave loved to sing and was a member of Rockingham Male Chorus for several years. He enjoyed construction, and he and Brenda built or remodeled and sold several homes throughout their lives. They returned to Sarasota, FL, in 2014 to help with Brenda’s elderly parents, until their own health concerns brought them back to Timberville, VA. Directly following the purchase of their new home, Brenda was diagnosed with cancer and died soon after, on October 22, 2018.

Dave remarried on May 3, 2020, to Gloria Mae Harman Snider. He was warmly welcomed by the Harman and Snider families and greatly enjoyed the time spent with them. After only one year together, Gloria suffered a massive stroke and passed. Dave continued to live in his home in Timberville, enjoying the birds at his many feeders, the turkeys, bear, and deer wandering through the yard, and hunting on the property.

Dave and Brenda were faithful, active members of the Mennonite church throughout their lifetime. Dave served as an elder and Sunday School teacher at different times. Their enthusiastic hospitality encompassed everyone they met. It is impossible to overstate Dave’s influence on his family and friends. His humility and humor, faith and love, are a precious legacy.

Dave is survived by his children: LuAnn Bender and husband Eric of Harrisonburg, VA, Wayne Miller and wife Beth of Timberville, VA, Warren Miller and wife Ellirene of Homer, AK, Rebecca Lyda and husband Jerrie of Newberg, OR, Michael Miller and wife Denise of Broadway, VA;
his step-children, Craig Snider and wife Jill of Broadway, VA, Daryl and wife Jean of Lancaster, PA, Shawn and wife Sarah of Harrisonburg, VA;
his siblings, Paul Miller and his wife Betty, sister-in-law Shirley Miller, Jim Miller and wife Mona, Mamie Mellinger and husband Claire;
his seventeen grandchildren, Joseph Bender, Malinda Bender King and husband Riley, Mary Bender Leichty and husband Elliott, Michael Bender, Andrew Miller, Janie Miller, Adam Miller, Jayce Miller, Emerald Miller Nelson and husband Weisi, Alexis Miller, Alectra Miller, Zachary Lyda and wife Isabel, Davin Lyda and wife Kara, Bennett Lyda, Austin Lyda, Warren Miller and Jonas Miller; his five step-grandchildren, Becky and husband Michael Yoder, Nate Snider, Tim Snider, Colin Snider and Luke Snider; and his five great-grandchildren, Alice and Rosemary Leichty, Jett Lyda, Florence King, Sylphrena Nelson, and with another baby Lyda soon to be born.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter Olivia Miller, and his brothers Daniel Miller and Floyd Miller.

A celebration of David's life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Trissels Mennonite Church, 11246 Hisers Lane, Broadway, VA 22815, with Pastor David Lehman officiating.

The service will be live streamed to YouTube. Please use the link below: https://www.youtube.com/live/g_kWXD_Romk

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions be made to the Shenandoah County Pregnancy Center, 28 Cedarwood Lane, Edinburg, VA, 22824.