Kenneth William Miller

Kenneth William Miller, 72, of Monroe passed away unexpectedly Thursday afternoon (April 25) doing one of his favorite things: tending to his yard on a beautiful spring day.

Born June 22, 1951, in Monroe, he was the son of Kenneth H. and Janis (Creason) Miller. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1969 and attended Western Michigan University and Monroe County Community College. He graduated from the Oakland Police Academy in 1977.

He was married to Susan Rose Stotz on Oct. 30, 1976, at Christ Lutheran Church in Monroe, by the Rev. J. Robert Ensign. Ken and Susan met in 1972 when both worked in the advertising department at The Monroe Evening News. They welcomed a beautiful daughter, Miranda Rose, in 1983. Ken loved being a dad.

He also worked for the Monroe Bowl-O-Drome and the Bennett Ambulance Service before joining the Monroe City Police Department. He was a youth and DARE officer and finished his career as a detective corporal after 28 years. He was named Officer of the Year by the Monroe Exchange Club in 1995. Ken retired from the police force in 2004. He then worked at Trinity Lutheran Church and was a bailiff in the Monroe County Court system. He also worked at Allore Chapel of Martenson Family of Funeral Homes.

His guys’ coffee group met at Tim Hortons five days a week. Their photo hangs on the wall at the restaurant.

Ken was devoted to his family and many friends. He loved working in his yard, woodworking, bird watching, and all major Michigan sports. Ken thoroughly enjoyed surprising people he didn’t even know by handing out his handmade wooden snowmen at Christmas time. He also made dozens of hand-crafted Nativity scenes for friends and family. He enjoyed golfing at Green Meadows Golf Course and, being interested in space and the stars, he made a point of watching the U.S Space Station whenever it passed overhead.

Ken and Sue loved to travel, with memorable trips to England, Scotland and Alaska.

He sang tenor for the Country Estate Barbershop Quartet and in church choirs. He was a dedicated volunteer at Christ Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and later at Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a faithful blood donor. Ken was known for his kindness and unique sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter Miranda (Bob) Dunajski, a sister, Suzanne (Dan) Shannon; brother-in-law Phillip (Becky) Stotz and nieces, nephews and godchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his godmother and aunt Glenlyn Joseph, and father- and mother-in-law Harold and Virginia Stotz and brother-in-law Nick Stotz.

Ken had said he preferred that in lieu of flowers and physical gifts that any memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Monroe, Gleaners (Food Bank), Detroit, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Thank you.