Gary Miller

Gary Lloyd Miller, 65, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died suddenly Wednesday, May 4, 2011, on his way to choir practice.

He was born Oct. 25, 1945, in Topeka, Kan., son of Lloyd W. "Bing" and Neva E. Miller. He married Mary Van Hoet in 1979 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Miller graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1963 and the University of Northern Iowa in 1967. After earning his master's degree in music at Michigan, he served in the U.S. Navy music program from 1969 to 1973, deploying to Europe aboard vessels including the aircraft carrier JFK.

Following military service he earned the Artist's Diploma from the Staatliche Hochschule fuer Musik in Cologne, Germany. He received his doctorate of music degree at the University of Michigan.

For the past 31 years Miller has been a member of the music faculty at Southeast Missouri State University. He was a teacher, professor, performer and mentor to countless students. At the time of his death he was associate dean and director of Southeast University River Campus, as well as music director, organist and member at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. He was a lifetime member of Amvets Post 49 in Cedar Falls.

In addition to wife Mary, he is survived by four sons, Kirk, Kyle, Erik and Alex of Cape Girardeau; and a sister, Monica Miller Murphy (Steve) of Minneapolis.

He was preceded in death by parents.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the music fund at First Presbyterian Church or Southeast University Foundation Memorial Fund in Gary Miller's name, both in Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701. Condolences may be left at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.