Leo Miller

Leo Erwin Miller, 88 of Mountain Home passed away Saturday, July 9, 2016, at his home. Inurnment with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, in Boise.

A Memorial Service will follow at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at Faith Lutheran Church in Mountain Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.

Leo was born in 1928 in Hazen, N.D., where he graduated from high school while living on a small grain and cattle farm. He joined the Navy in 1945 and spent two years in the Submarine Service with tours to the Far East and China. He married Hilda Schields in 1952 who died in 1984. Together, they had one son, Merlin.

Leo went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree from North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University) at Fargo, N.D., and a Master of Education Degree from the University of Idaho at Moscow, Idaho.

Leo began his public school career with two years of teaching in a (rural 1-8) one-room school house in North Dakota and then a high school teacher in Mountain Home, Idaho. After nine years as Elementary Principal, three as Junior High Principal, 14 years as Senior High School Principal and eight years as Superintendent, (all in Mountain Home) he retired June 1988.

During all his school years, he was active in the profession. He was an extension instructor for both Boise State University and the University of Idaho for 12 years and served on many state committees to further the cause of education. His most notables were as President of Idaho's Association of School Administrators and also as President of Idaho's Secondary Principals.

In 1975, he was selected as one of the 60 most effective principals in the nation and served on the Board of Directors of National Association of Secondary School Principals. These two were his proudest accomplishments.

His community activities include membership in Rotary International and he served as President one year and club secretary five years. He served 12 years on the board of directors of Capital Educators Credit Union.

He served two terms on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors plus President of the Military Affairs Committee. He served as co-chairman of Paint the Town for six years. He was on the Mountain Home Planning and Zoning Commission where he served for 12 years, eight of which he was Chairman, and he served on the board for the Elmore County Historical Society.

He was an elected Precinct Committeeman of the Republican Party for several years. He was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church since 1960. He served as Congregation President for two years and was Treasurer for over 40 years.

He was an Elder of Faith Lutheran Church and chairman of the Faith Lutheran School Board. He was the elected delegate to the Lutheran District Convention six times and was elected by the ministers and laymen of the area circuit to represent them three times at the International Synodical Convention of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

He also took care of his father until he passed away in 2002, 24 days short of his 99th birthday.

Leo is survived by his wife, LeeAnn; his son, Merlin, who is a civilian Director of Environmental engineering currently stationed in Okinawa; and his sister, Lela, currently living in California. He has three stepchildren, Bryan and his wife, Theresa Gregory; Curtis and his wife, Chali Gregory; and Gwen Johns; with six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by both parents and three of his four siblings.

Simply put, Leo was never just a joiner when he joined an organization; it was to be an active participant. When things needed to be done or attended to, he was ready and willing to work. Often taking on much more than any one man or woman should be able to handle, he did so with ease, never complaining and always doing the job well. Leo was always a very generous man.

Donations in Leo memory can be sent to Faith Lutheran Church, 1190 North 6th East St., Mountain Home, ID 83647, or Boise Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 1494, Boise, ID 83701.