Ralph Sens Miller, age 91, of Edina, MO passed away on May 25, 2022, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.
He was born on May 13, 1931, in Edina, Missouri, the son of Ralph Werner Miller and Helen Malura (Sens) Miller. He was their only child.
Ralph Jr, as he was known in his day, was raised in Edina and attended school there. He graduated from Edina High School in 1949. After the school day and on Saturday he worked in the family hardware store. He reports being a good employee and taking direction from his dad while on the clock. But after hours he tells of many times he and his friends played onery tricks, rarely getting caught. Ralph attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, Il., studying accounting, which came easy to him. While in Quincy he also joined the Naval Reserves serving 6 years as a first line ammunition loader.
On January 21, 1951, he married June Pinson. To this union 3 children were born: Ralph Stephan Miller (Patricia), Rita Helen Miller Worthington and Tracy Annette Miller Mallett (William).
Ralph returned to Edina and pursed his true passion of farming south of town. On the farm he raised crops and livestock, always keeping pigs around to keep away any snakes! He helped his children and later his grandchildren with 4-H beef projects. Ralph enjoyed attending his children’ s school activities while they were growing up. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and kept a blue tick hound ready for any hunt. He always had a love for his four-legged friends. Ralph was also an accomplished welder, lending his services to family and neighborhood friends. After the passing of his mother, he followed his passion and got his first tattoo. In her honor he had a red rose on his arm.
In 1985 Ralph moved to Commerce, Texas with Tracy where she was attending college. He thought she was too young to be alone that far from home. In Texas he worked on a ranch, riding his horse, Rose, every day to take care of cattle. After his retirement, he began doing scroll saw wood crafts and traveled to many craft shows in northeast Texas selling his crafts. He made large, beautiful wall clocks, southwest art and funny signs. His artwork was purchased by people all over Texas as well as many other states and a few other countries. He dearly loved living in Texas with the warmer climate.
In 2017, Ralph returned to Edina to be near his family in his later years. He spent his final years with his constant and faithful companion, Duke, a rat terrier who ran the house. Ralph was an avid football fan always cheering for his team, the Dallas Cowboys.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, an uncle, Charles J. Miller and a son-in-law, Richard Lee Worthington.
He is survived by his 3 children, 4 grandchildren: Heather Michelle Miller Thomas (Brian), Ralph Stephan Miller (Deby), Ryan Lee Worthington, and Robin Leann Worthington Dawson (Shawn). He is also survived by 8 great grandchildren: Zane Robert Hubble, Haven Kate Hubble, Madison Renee Miller, Makinley Rae Miller, Kaylee June Worthington, Max Wyatt Worthington, Layla Brilyn Dawson and Conner Dean Jace Dawson.
Visitation will be held 9 a.m.to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2022, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Graveside services will follow in the Linville Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Reverend Graig Connell assisted by Pastor Paul Harvey.
Pall bearers Ryan Worthington, Zane Hubble, Stephan Miller, Shawn Dawson, Rick Pinson and Tony Klote
Honorary Pall bearers Dudley Gillaspy, Delbert Rourke and Von Snow.
Memorials are suggested to the Linville Cemetery or Knox County Nutrition Site. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.