Vera Miller

Vera K. Miller, Age 95, of Erie passed away on Monday, November 20, 2017 at Springhill Senior Living Center.

Vera was born on December 1^st, 1921, in Johnstown, PA, a daughter of her birth father, Erven Jacob Kaltenbaugh, who died when she was just three months old from the influenza epidemic of 1922, and her mother, the late Grace Bisel Kaltenbaugh Rock. Vera was then raised by her mother and step father, the late William Whelen Rock.

She graduated from New Paris High School in 1940, which at the time was a one room schoolhouse.  Later in the fall of that year, she married the love of her life, Fred Gnagy Miller, to whom she was married for 53 years until his death on October 18, 1993.  They started their family and lived in the Somerset, Bedford, and Johnstown areas of Pennsylvania, and eventually moved to Erie in 1961.  Vera was the consummate homemaker, always concerned with doing everything possible to provide a wonderful, loving home for her family. Over the years, Vera also worked in retail sales at the former Moyers Hat Shop, J C Penney’s in the Erie Central Mall, and Trask’s (which became Carlisle’s).

Besides her family, Vera’s long-time pleasure and her mark on life was her music—both singing and playing the piano.  She and Fred were longtime members of Elmwood Presbyterian Church, where he was the Treasurer for 23 years, and Vera, it is said, had been the most talented vocalist of the church’s choir. Her mellow alto voice brought meaning to the many solos she sang from that choir loft. 

Vera’s skill and love of the piano began at the young age of five, and she was still performing the Happy Birthday song for friends just a few weeks ago while living at Forestview. 

In addition to all her parents and her husband, Vera is preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur McMillen and Glenn W. Kaltenbaugh, and two sisters, Anna S. Kaltenbaugh Foltin and Ruth E. Kaltenbaugh Webb.

Vera is survived by her daughters Linda Bremmer (William), Fairview, PA; Pamela Clause (Ron), of Grand Rapids MI; and her son Joel Miller (Tiffany), Erie.

Six grandchildren survive: William Bremmer III (Kerry), Fairfax, VA; Kirsten Elstner (John), Stewartsville, MD; Seth Bremmer, Fairview PA; Matthew Rave, Ada, MI; Molly Dawson, Ada, MI; and Brandon Miller, Erie PA.  Ten great-grandchildren further survive Vera, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Elmwood Presbyterian Church, 2816 Elmwood Avenue, on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service there at 2 p.m. with Pastors Dave Edmunds and Harry Johns as celebrants. Burial will be at Fishertown Cemetery in Bedford County PA on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Elmwood Presbyterian Church 2816 Elmwood Ave., Erie, PA 16508.