Loretta Marie Miller

Loretta Marie Miller passed from this earth into heaven on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 after a brief illness while living in Sarasota, Florida. She was 93 years old.

Loretta was born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio, where she met her husband, Neil H. Miller. After getting married, they moved to Springfield, Ohio where they began their dream of buying a home and raising a large family. They were married over 57 years when Neil passed away in 2014. Loretta is also preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Vina Bowers, brother Floyd Bowers Jr. and beloved sister Gwendolyn Clark. The most important part of Loretta’s life was her family, including three daughters Nelia Miller, Melanie (David) Gauthier and Julie Sea, and three sons Kevin (Beth Ann) Miller, Thomas (Gabriella) Miller and Nolan Miller. She also had eleven beloved grandchildren and six incredible great-grandchildren, plus two on the way!

Loretta had many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles as part of her large close-knit family. She loved spending time with extended family, especially her cousins who were some of her favorite companions growing up. Attending family reunions was a summer tradition for the Miller household. And beyond that, Loretta’s parents who lived in Florida came up north in the summertime and spent several weeks with her and her family, which was a delight and blessing to all. She followed in her parents’ footsteps by snow birding and eventually moving to Florida to escape the winter cold of Ohio after Neil retired.

Loretta became a mother figure to some of her many nieces and nephews after they lost their own mothers because her abundant love and care for family naturally overflowed beyond her own children. She even kept up with family birthday cards up until age 90!

Neighborhood friends were also very important to Loretta and the community that was built on Holiday Drive extended into lifelong friendships for not only her but her children as well. After she moved into Assisted Living, many of the staff and residents shared how nice she was, showing care and support to others in her community.

For those in Springfield, she may be remembered as a Girl Scout Leader or an amazing 4-H leader who taught many young ladies how to excel in sewing, cooking, baking, and anything related to home economics. She had excellent standards of work and this was reflected in the many awards and ribbons won by the Buttons N Bolts 4-H Club. She was a master quilter making many beautiful quilts for her family and friends, and participating in the Batty Binders quilting club. She always loved to create – through art, sewing, and having six children!

Some may remember her as a member of Story-Hypes United Methodist Church, where she met her best friend and “soul sister” Tamera Brooker. Loretta never laughed more often or heartily than in the company of her best friend Tammy. After that church closed, she joined High Street United Methodist Church with some of her Story-Hypes friends. Loretta and her husband Neil had a strong Christian faith and they strived to instill these values in their children.

Loretta enjoyed gardening and, while raising her children, she always had a vegetable patch in the back yard. She also loved flowers and would continue to plant them around her yard for as long as she had her own home. After she moved into assisted living, flowers and plants continued to be part of her decor and were a welcome gift for any occasion or none at all.

The Celebration of Life for Loretta Miller will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:30 AM at Jackson, Lytle & Lewis, 2425 N. Limestone Street, Springfield, Ohio. Visitation will be prior to the service, 10AM-11:30AM. The family plans a private burial. If you would like to make a donation in her honor, she has requested that they be made to Operation Smile.