CARL RAY MILLER, age 86, a resident of Benton, died peacefully surrounded by his girls on Sunday, September 3, 2017, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born August 2, 1931in Advance to Jasper Utah and Alma Edith McClain Miller, he grew up in Diehlstadt and moved to Benton in 1962. Employed at Thomas W. Kelly Elementary School in the maintenance department until his retirement, he worked for many years as a carpenter and was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. A US Army veteran, he served during the Korean War. He was a 30 year member of the Blodgett Church of Christ. He was committed to his family and took great pride in providing for them. He was a farmer at heart and enjoyed farming his entire life.

On September 21, 1962 he married Patsy Ruth Cloud, who survives of Benton. For 54 years they loved and cared for one another.

Also surviving are three daughters, Kay Elaine Miller of St. Louis, Jill Ann (Scott) Hankins of DeSoto, and Cindy Carol (Eric) Dow of Fruitland; one sister Carolyn (Donald) Bellah of Sikeston; and four grandchildren, Morgan Hankins, Taylor Hankins, Austin Dow and Griffin Dow.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, J.W. Miller, Loy Miller, and Leo Miller; and two sisters, Della Mae Bryant and Margaret Brothers.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 12:00 pm (Noon). Rusty Rice, pastor of the Blodgett Church of Christ, will officiate.

Military Graveside Rites will be conducted at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield followed by interment under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Scott Hankins, Eric Dow, Donald Bellah, Johnny Cloud, Paul Hutson, and Gary Wilkerson.

Memorial Contribution may be given to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.