Chester Miller Obituary

This is not an ordinary obituary because Art Miller was not an ordinary man. Loving, kind, determined, hard working, genuine, giving, stubborn, smart, driven, intentional, funny, strong, full of life, godly, caring, protective and knowledgeable - these words are more than just a description of Art, they are the fabric of who he was.

Art Miller passed away peacefully at Willow Valley Community on August 21 surrounded by his beloved wife and daughters.

Art dearly loved his wife of 26 years, Bonita R. (Ker). They resided in Downingtown, Pennsylvania for 19 years before making Hobe Sound, Florida their permanent home in 2019. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, his daughters Kristi Kleintop and Shelly Meadowcroft (Bruce Harlan) and his stepson Richard Ker.

Art's legacy lives on in his wonderful grandchildren, Jenna Thieroff, Kelsi Wright (David), Abby King (John), Madison Bonnette (Grant), Carly Kleintop (Aidan Katz), Jonathan Ker (Crystal), Leah Ker and Eric Ker.

He was blessed to have four Great Grandchildren, Rosie and Thomas Wright and Ruby and JJ Ker. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Art was predeceased by his parents and sisters as well as his sons-in-law, Douglas J. Kleintop and Thomas J. Thieroff.

Born in West Grove, Pennsylvania on January 28, 1940, Art weighed a remarkable 13 lbs at birth. His parents, Chester A. Miller, Sr. and Marie Veronica (Smith) Miller were 52 & 48 years old respectively. He was lucky enough to have two older sisters, Betty (Neustadter) and Jean (Deaver). He was a quick and ornery child and it was normally sister Betty's job to keep up with her baby brother.

The son of a mushroom farmer in Oxford, Pennsylvania, Art was determined to become a successful self-made businessman. During his adolescent years, Art enjoyed camping with the Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout designation. He graduated from Lincoln University with an associates degree and subsequently enlisted in the U. S. Navy, serving as a corpsman in the Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 1961 to 1967.

After leaving the Navy, Art moved his young family to Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania. He began his career with Allstate Insurance, where his relentless hard work and commitment earned him prestigious accolades, including the Honor Ring and recognition as the top agent nationwide.

Several years later, the family relocated to Downingtown. In 1975, Art opened Miller's Insurance Agency Inc., selling Erie Insurance from the basement of their family home. The agency quickly expanded, leading Art to open an office on Lancaster Avenue. His entrepreneurial spirit propelled him further, prompting the construction of two office buildings on West Uwchlan Avenue, where he employed over 30 team members at the peak of his success. Art's accomplishments were numerous, with multiple award trips and consistent top rankings for sales and profitability throughout his career. Although he sold the business in 2011, he continued to work alongside them until his passing, driven by a passion for his work and a fierce love for his job.

Growing up as a man of faith, Art had a heart for serving others. For ten years, he was a board member of Casa Bernabe, an orphanage in Guatemala. While visiting the orphanage, he worked on the buildings and made meaningful connections with the children. Active in the churches he attended, Art was relentless yet gentle in leading others to Christ. After moving to Florida, he became an elder and treasurer at Church Street Chapel, where he loved the community and his work. When he disappeared for hours the family knew they would find him at the church or riding his golf cart around his community. Art was the President of the HOA for Hobe Sound Golf Community and when his term was over he continued serving by supervising the landscaping and horticulture projects.

Art had many athletic interests through the years, including skiing with his teenage daughters, playing tennis and eventually becoming an avid golfer. With golf becoming his true passion, he participated in countless member/guest tournaments with many friends. For years, Art had a small group of close friends that would meet for an annual golf trip. As the friends grew older the golfing may not have been as great, but the laughter and companionship became as important as the game itself. This core group supported each other through life's joys and challenges.

For many years, Art took his family on annual trips to Jamaica and delighted in sharing the world with them. His grandchildren eagerly anticipated their 16th birthdays, as he treated them to a trip to Paris. Together with Bonnie, he explored many countries, enriching their lives with experiences abroad.

We find solace knowing that Art is now in Heaven, relaxing, playing golf, and enjoying a martini with a splash of olive juice and extra olives on the side. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Art will be deeply missed. We take comfort in knowing that he lived a rich and wonderful life filled with love.

There will be a visitation on Friday, September 5th from 5-7pm at James Terry Funeral Home, 736 E Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335 . A church service will be on Saturday, September 6th at 11 am at East Brandywine Baptist Church, 999 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown. Please note, there will be no visitation prior to the church service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Art's memory to the construction of the "Fountain of Life" at Church Street Chapel, 8515 SE Church Street, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455.