Carla Jean Miller

Carla Jean Miller, age 69, of Brownstown, a cherished mom and mamaw, was called to her heavenly home on Thursday, October 5, 2023, after a decade-long battle with dementia. Mrs. Miller was baptized at Brownstown Christian Church, and she was confirmed in faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sauers, on November 20, 2011. She taught her family about loving the Lord, and always being loyal. She was raised in Brownstown (Ewing), but she also lived in Illinois, North Dakota, and Michigan. Her parents celebrated her birth on November 22, 1953, as she was introduced to all as Carla Jean, the daughter of Carl and Megan Gray Defibaugh, both of whom preceded her in death. On January 24, 1990, she married the love of her life, Walter Miller, who loved her epic coconut crème pies, and who she described as having a kind face. He preceded her in death on April 7, 2019. Carla loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren, whom she proclaimed she could not go more than two days without seeing. She taught them how to bake cookies with extra sprinkles, hammer nails, and mow her grass. She gave them the best toe massages, made sure they each had their own swimming “pool”, sang purple people eater with them, took them fishing and to Subway, and always had a purse big enough to fit the smarties she would have for them. She was an avid sports fan of whatever team her grandkids played on, never missing a single game, recital, or event. In fact, you could always count on her to be the first one there, giving her famous whoo hoo’s. She loved to swim, was known for pulling pranks, was a master cook and baker, and she worked as a CNA at the Hoosier Christian Village, a profession of which she dearly loved. She had a knack for never losing the TV remote, loved all things patriotic, serving as a proud military wife, mom, and mamaw. Carla always thanked the men and women in uniform for their service. She loved playing cards with friends, watching the Wizard of Oz, and making her legendary egg rolls. Carla will be lovingly missed by her son, Shane (Crystina) Schroer of Kansas; two daughters: Holly (Mark) Sawyer of Seymour, and Tomie (Corey) Bobb of Brownstown; two step-sons: Eddie Miller, and Brian Miller; one step-daughter, Stacey (Mike) Kidwell; and 16 grandchildren, who knew her as mamaw, and whom she adored: Amanda Schroer, L.J. Schroer, Timothy Schroer, Cody Schroer, Cassidy Sawyer, Hannah Schroer, Claudia Schroer, Chase Sawyer, Logan Schroer, Sage Broughton, McKinley Schroer, Brinley Bobb, Kennedy Schroer, Vivian Schroer, Mandalynn Schroer, and Hazel Schroer; and one great-grandchild, Cooper Ray Schroer. Her family thanks and praises the Lord for the incredible gift of getting to be her children and grandchildren. They are comforted in knowing she has been healed and is in her heavenly home. She will be remembered with such words as loving, generous, funny, and patriotic. Carla was preceded in death by two brothers and survived by one sister. Funeral services for Carla Jean Miller will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sauers, with Pastor Craig Muhlbach officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sauers. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown. Memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sauers, Schneck Medical Center Hospice, or Hoosier Christian Village Auxiliary. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc. Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com

Carla Jean Miller

November 22, 1953 - October 5, 2023