MILLER, Neola Mae (McLean) - b . February 11, 1929 - d. April 9, 2017

[patyrn]

Neola Mae Miller of Eureka, Kansas passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at the age of 88.  She was born on February 11, 1929 in rural Piedmont, Kansas, the daughter of Walter R. and Mary "Neva" (Simmons) McLean.

Neola was raised on the family farm north of Piedmont, Kansas, graduating from Piedmont High School with the Class of 1946.  After attending one summer school session, she began her teaching career at age 17.  She attended summer school and night classes for twenty years before receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas.  She later completed a Master's Degree from Emporia State University.

On August 19, 1951, Neola was united in marriage to William Thomas "Bill" Miller in Piedmont.  She taught in many places throughout Greenwood County including Lone Elm, Piedmont, Severy, Climax, Fall River, Dunlap, and Eureka throughout her 40-year career.  She retired in 1994.  Bill preceded her in death on November 12, 2011.  Neola was a member of Entre Nous of Eureka, the Community Benefit Club, National Education Association, KNEA, and was a past 4-H project leader.

Neola is survived by four children, Stacey and husband, Jim Warner of Manhattan, Kansas, Craig and wife, Kathy Miller of Eureka, Kansas, Madeleine and husband, Clint Rusk of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Allison and husband, Jim McNerney of Wichita, Kansas; six grandchildren, Cory and wife, Charlene Miller of El Dorado, Kansas, Travis Warner and wife, Juliana Hanson of Ammar, Jordan, Tyler Warner and wife, Brianna Strange of Santa Monica, California, Shane Rusk and wife, Julie Hyunh-Rusk of Seattle, Washington, Ashley Rusk of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Cody McNerney of Wichita, Kansas; two great-grandchildren, Cally and Cami Miler; and two sisters-in-law, Eyvonnie McLean of Piedmont, Kansas and Phyllis Miler of Columbia, Missouri.  She was preceded by her husband, Bill; her parents; and her brother, Harold McLean.

Visitation hours will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Koup Family Funeral Home , 121 N. Oak, Eureka, Kansas.  Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Eureka, Kansas with Rev. Kenneth Baker officiating.  A family interment will precede at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Neola Miller Future Educator Scholarship.  Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045 which is overseeing arrangements.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.koupfunerals.com.

(taken from the Koup Family Funeral Home website)