Berdy June Miller, age 93, passed away February 26, 2019, surrounded by her family at her home in Joplin, following 1 year of declining health.
Berdy was born August 9, 1925, in Grandview, Missouri. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. While there, she met her future husband, Charles “Chick” Edwin Miller, who passed away in 2007. While in high school and college, Berdy twirled the baton for the band and performed at Soldier Field in Chicago, Whiteman Air Force Base, the Missouri State Fair and numerous Kansas City Park concerts. Berdy also played the clarinet in high school and college and the Joplin Symphony Orchestra as well as taught private music lessons for all band instruments in Joplin.
Berdy and Chick spent 57 happy years raising three sons, Jim (Dianne) Miller, David (Sharon) Miller, Sam (Debbie) Miller, all in Joplin, who survive her. Berdy is also survived by two grandsons, Zachary (Elizabeth) Miller and great-granddaughter Sarah, in Ottumwa, Iowa; and Micah (Diana) Miller and great-grandson Aiden, in Joplin. Also surviving are 2 nephews and 3 nieces. In addition to her husband, Berdy was also preceded in death by her parents Thomas Engle Way and Eve Juanita (Blyholder) Way and two sisters, Ellen Way and Bonnie Welch.
Berdy was a member of First United Methodist Church in Joplin since 1950. She taught elementary Sunday School, attended the Kum Dub’l Sunday School class, served on the Mission Committee and the Women’s Circle. Along with her husband, Berdy was a charter member of the Ozark Gateway Audubon Chapter and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the chapter in 2006. They enjoyed counting the different bird species on the family farm as well as maintaining a bluebird trail with nesting boxes. Berdy and Chick also delivered Meals on Wheels for several years.
After Chick retired from teaching, Berdy and he traveled throughout the United States. Memorable trips included an Alaskan cruise with Sam and Debbie and traveling to England to visit Jim and Dianne.
Private family graveside services will be at Osborne Memorial Cemetery. Funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Joplin Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with Roger Nichols officiating.
Memorial contributions may be sent for Joplin Area Blind Center or First United Methodist Church Youth Group in Berdy’s name.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin.
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