Marian Jeanette Miller passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in Muskegon, at the age of 96 years, 10 months, and 5 days.  Marian Jeanette Bletsch was born July 8, 1923, in Dalton Township, the daughter of Howard William and Edna Pearl (Zedaker) Bletsch.

Marian was welcomed by two older brothers, Howard and Kenneth, and she later greeted two younger brothers, John and Wilbur, though she had really been hoping for a sister.  Their father spent the last three years of his life in the Muskegon sanitarium before succumbing to tuberculosis in 1933, when Marian was nine.  This left her mother and the five children to take care of themselves and the farm.  Marian attended the one-room Gordon School through 8th grade, then North Muskegon High School.  She quit halfway through her senior year in 1943 to get a job, later obtaining her GED.  She worked in various Muskegon factories to support the war effort.  Marian was married to William "Bill" Miller on March 20, 1944, in Muskegon, while he was on a short leave before being sent overseas into WWII.  The young bride soon received the dreaded news that on August 16, 1944, her husband had been seriously wounded during combat in Normandy, France.  Miraculously, he did make a full recovery, finally returning home in December of 1945.  They purchased a farm north of Holton where they lived for 10 years before moving to their home in Fruitland in 1956.  Bill preceded her in death on July 9, 1975, at age 58, after a long battle with cancer.  Mrs. Miller was a housewife until her children were grown and then worked for a while at Kysor in Rothbury and later at Michigan's Adventure.  She always kept herself busy and spent many years babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Mrs. Miller was a long-time member of Faith Baptist Church in Dalton.

Marian is survived by: her children, Becky (Ward) Burns, Barbara Schofield, and Gene Miller, all of North Muskegon; 6 grandchildren, Michelle Miller of Grand Rapids, Kreg Miller and Matthew (Kristie) Burns, of North Muskegon, Joy (Ryan) Sparks of Allendale, Adam Schofield of North Muskegon, and Paul (Melissa) Miller of Cedar Springs; 7 great-grandchildren, Isaac (Lauren) Burns, Zachary Miller, Jared Burns, and Gunnar, Coleman, and Ainsley Sparks, and Austin Miller; 1 sister-in-law, Sally Bletsch of Zeeland; and many niece and nephews.  She was also preceded in death by her mother in 1966; her 4 brothers, Howie in 1945, Kenny in 1991, Wink in 2000, and John in 2015; and son, John in 2018.

Private family services will be held. Interment will be in Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com