Charles E. Chuck Miller

VALLEY CENTER - Charles Edward “Chuck” Miller, 60, surrounded by his loving family, slipped peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Monday, February 3, 2020. He fought a courageous three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Chuck was born November 17, 1959, at St. Francis hospital in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, to Hugh E. and Glendene K. (Enochs) Miller. Chuck attended Black Elementary, Hadley Middle School and North High School in Wichita, graduating in May of 1978. In November 1978, he hired on at Coleman Heating and Air as an assembler, eventually working up to Quality Engineer for the same company after it was bought by Johnson Controls, retiring in February 2019, after 40 years. While at work, Chuck enjoyed giving tours and sharing the history of the plant and was considered the plant historian. He received many training certificates including HVAC and ISO 9001. He married Deanna Rae Fisher, June 29, 1980, in the Federated Church, Whitewater, Kansas. The young couple started married life in Maize, Kansas, and while living there, welcomed a son, Matthew Brandon. After moving to Wichita, their youngest son, Michael Christopher, joined the family. Chuck was passionate about his family and friends, always willing to lend a hand, solve a problem or fix what needed fixing. While the children were in grade school, Chuck was involved in the Franklin Elementary PTA, serving as treasurer, vice president and president, as well as serving in City PTA as by laws chairman. The family moved to Valley Center where Chuck built a shop in the backyard and spent many enjoyable hours there, often having many projects going at once. One big project he completed was building a backyard deck. Chuck enjoyed researching his family history and helped organize family reunions in Arkansas with his cousins. A longtime member of Central Community Church, Chuck and his son Michael were involved in the tech team ministry for many years. Chuck enjoyed traveling and his favorite places to visit were Disney World in Florida, Disneyland in California and Kauai, Hawaii. Although he did love to travel, he was always ready to come home. Known as Papa to his grandchildren, he wanted to make sure they had everything they needed and wanted. He enjoyed spending time with them especially on the deck in the back yard watching them play. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Glendene Miller; father-in-law, Monte Fisher, and brother-in-law, Stephen Fisher. Chuck is survived by his wife and best friend of 39 years, Deanna of Valley Center, Kansas; sons, Matthew and Lauren Miller of Wichita, Kansas, and Michael and Michelle Miller of Valley Center, Kansas; grandchildren, Oliver Todd and Ella RaeAnn Miller of Valley Center, Kansas; sister, Glenda and Ken Robinson of Goddard, Kansas; nieces, Cindy Pilcher Dougherty, Lori Robinson Rudkin and Chris, and Staci Robinson all of Goddard, Kansas; great-nieces, Karen Dougherty and John Vann of Goddard, Kansas, Susan Dougherty Beyard and Rick of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Melanie Robinson of Goddard, Kansas; great-nephew, Jacob Kruger of Smithfield, Virginia; mother-in-law, Carolyn Fisher; sister-in-law, Deborah Fisher Buttel and Jerry, and nephew, Jereb Buttel all of Whitewater, Kansas; sister-in-law, Magda Fisher of Newton, Kansas; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. A Visitation will be held from 7:00-9:00 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2020, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. The Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Central Community Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials established with Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; Victory In The Valley, 3755 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218 and Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, 3450 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67226.