COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Mark A. Miller was a beloved Columbus educator known for his jokes and humor. He died at age 76 on July 29, 2024 at Traditions of Columbus.
He was born in Columbus in 1947 to Ray and Lydia Miller. He, along with his older brother Phil, spent a happy childhood playing with friends, taking care of their unusual pets (including an alligator and a raccoon), and attending St. Peter’s Lutheran School. After graduation from Columbus High School, he attended Ball State University with a major in education for both his Bachelors and Masters degrees. He originally thought he would use his talents teaching history, but also decided to focus on math education, which eventually was the focus of his career.
After college graduation in 1969, he returned to Columbus as a Math teacher at Northside Middle School. Here he introduced generations of students to algebra and geometry through “Rosco and Bosco”, gummy bear incentives, and the popular phrase “A Day without Math is like a Day without Sunshine”. In 1991, he was honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching which included a trip to Washington DC. At the time of his retirement in 2014, he had taught math for 45 years at Northside.
It was also in Columbus that he met his wife of 45 years, Gail Burgeson, while playing volleyball. They were married June 30, 1979, at First Lutheran Church. Mark and Gail happily welcomed daughters Heather and Courtney a few years later, and the family had many happy memories together (with hours of documented home video footage to prove it).
Mark enjoyed travel for his entire adult life. He traveled with friends through Europe in early adulthood, on cross-country road trips with his family, and on international tours with his wife as empty-nesters. Whether in Disney World or Egypt, he was armed with a guidebook and ready to maximize the fun on any trip. He was also a movie buff, Colts fan, wine aficionado, and rose gardener in his spare time. Mark was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and also contributed to the community through Sunrise Rotary.
Mark will always be remembered for his outgoing and friendly personality. He loved getting to catch up with former students, but could also chat to any stranger like they were a good friend.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Lydia (Scheidt) Miller and brother, Phil Miller. Survivors include his wife Gail Burgeson Miller, daughters Heather (Jordan) Elkins and Courtney (Michael) Ward; grandchildren Jasper and Jarvis Elkins and Lyla and Tyler Ward, nephew Alec Miller, and sister in law Irida Miller
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday August 3, 2024 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Carter officiating. Following the service, he will be laid to rest with his parents and extended family in St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Clifty. Friends are invited to the visitation on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and on Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mark to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana through the funeral home.
You are invited to view his video tribute, light a virtual candle of remembrance and share a memory or condolence to the Miller family via the funeral home website: www.jewellrittman.com.
