Marvin E. Miller, Jr., 70

September 30, 2016

Marvin E. Miller, Jr., 70, of Lancaster, entered into rest on Friday, September 30, 2016, at his home following a brief illness. Born in Lititz, Lancaster County, he was the son of Marvin E., Sr., and Arlene L. (Geibe) Miller, both deceased.

A 1963 graduate of Manheim Township High School, Marvin attended the University of Hawaii until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1964. He served in the 28th Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Force, Strategic Air Command. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1968, after which he attended Temple University.

First elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1972, he took office at the age of 27, one of the youngest members to be elected and serve in the history of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Marvin was re-elected to eight successive terms as representative for the 96th Legislative District, which encompassed the City of Lancaster and parts of Lancaster and Manheim Townships. He retired from legislative service December 31, 1990. Marvin’s tenure in the legislature was also unique because his early years of service overlapped his father’s, who represented the 97th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Marvin’s legislative committee chairmanships and memberships were many during the 18 years he served in office, including assignments on the Pennsylvania House State Government, Sunset Review, Professional Licensure, Urban Affairs, Education, Labor Relations, Judiciary, Health and Welfare, and Appropriations Committees. In his capacity as Representative, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, serving from 1978 to 1990. During his tenure with the Agency, he chaired its Needs Analysis Committee and served on its Executive Nominations and Executive Committees.

Following his retirement from the Legislature, Marvin worked in the field of governmental affairs, lobbying and consulting, representing primarily small professional, medical and other non-profit associations. He retired from his second career in 2015, allowing him to devote an increased amount of time to his interests in carpentry, millwork, antique furniture and folk art. An avid auction attendee at regional and local auction houses, farm sales and antique shows, Marvin prided himself on his knowledge of and appreciation for Southeast Pennsylvania decorative arts and early American furniture and clocks. Those who accompanied Marvin to sales and shows knew his keen eye for “fake paint,” “a reproduction,” “a patch up job,” “the wrong hardware” or “a bad repair.”

Marvin’s other long-time interest was aviation. He was an FAA certified commercial hot air balloon pilot and one of the early balloonists active in Lancaster County. Many people quickly came to recognize Marvin’s balloons the “Go Vote Special” and “Stars and Stripes” as he flew overhead. With his friend and fellow legislative colleague Nicholas B. Moehlmann, he co-founded Susquehanna Valley Balloon Company and the Lancaster Balloonport at Lancaster Airport. He and his family and friends enjoyed many mornings and evenings in the skies over Lancaster County, or chasing other balloonists along the County’s back roads to their landing spots. “A good landing is one you can walk away from” was not just Marvin’s ballooning maxim, but often reflected his general outlook on life. Marvin attended numerous regional balloon rallies, fairs and political events over the years, but his favorite ballooning event was the annual trip to the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally in Wellsville, New York.

Marvin’s love of aviation and his commitment to the Lancaster County community were also demonstrated by his nearly 30 years’ involvement with the Lancaster Airport. He was appointed to the Board of the Lancaster Airport Authority in 1992, after serving on the Lancaster Airport Advisory Committee from 1986 to 1992, and was Chairman of the Authority from 1997 until his death. The growth and development of the Lancaster Airport, and the dedication and friendship of his Authority Board colleagues and the Airport staff were very gratifying to Marvin, who was always quick to give credit for the Airport’s successes to the collegiality, commitment and efforts of the Board and staff.

Throughout his life, Marvin was also active on numerous civic and community boards, including the Lancaster Parking Authority, Tabor Community Services, Inc., Community Hospital of Lancaster (formerly Lancaster Osteopathic Hospital), the Lancaster Shelter for Abused Women, the Urban League Guild of Lancaster, Goodwill Industries of Lancaster, and the Board of Trustees of Linden Hall Academy for Women. Marvin also received many awards and commendations during his years of public service, and while each was sincerely appreciated by him, those most special to him were the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic and H.K. Cooper Maxillofacial Research Institute Service to Mankind Award (one of his earliest jobs, if not his first, after returning to Lancaster following his military service, was as a Resident Counselor at the Cleft Palate Clinic) and the Community Action Program of Lancaster County Partner Against Poverty Award (as a representative for Lancaster City, Marvin was committed to the mission and initiatives of CAP of Lancaster County).

A life-long member of the Lititz Moravian Congregation, Marvin’s early Sunday School Perfect Attendance Pin was a sign of things to come. A member of the junior choir during his youth and an usher as an adult, Marvin was also a fixture at the Congregation’s annual Christmas Love Feasts. He served faithfully (and sometimes perhaps exactingly) as “door warden” for many years, rarely missing a service during the Advent run-up to the final service on Christmas Eve. His affection for the Congregation and his regard for the traditions of the Moravian faith were essential in Marvin’s approach to life and to his community.

Golf was a favorite pastime of Marvin’s for many years and he was a member of Meadia Heights Golf Club until health issues prevented him from continuing to play. Avid is an understatement when it came to describing Marvin’s enjoyment of golf. Despite his strenuous denials to the contrary, he often played seven out of seven days a week, sometimes getting in 36 or more holes in a day. He developed many lasting friendships among the golfers at Meadia Heights, especially the members of the Friday morning “Hilton Head” golf group. Marvin was also an active member of the Hubley Social Club. Many Hubley Club members became close friends over the years, and he spent countless enjoyable and entertaining hours with them, not only at the Club but also pursuing their mutual interests outside it. Their help and support during times of difficulty, particularly during his last illness, were sincerely appreciated by Marvin and his family.

Of the many interests and pastimes he enjoyed during his life, Marvin’s most treasured moments were those spent with his grandchildren, who went on countless excursions with their beloved Boppa from the time of their infancy. As they grew up, he happily attended as many of their school, sports and other activities as he could. Marvin and his wife spent many happy vacations in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, exploring the area’s wildlife preserves and enjoying the beauty of the Low Country, as well as side trips to Bluffton, Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina, and Savanah, Georgia. The annual family Thanksgiving trip to Hilton Head Island was a tradition. Including their family on these trips to Hilton Head Island made them even more special, as Marvin and his wife saw so much of what they loved and enjoyed over the years through new and younger eyes.
Marvin is survived by Margaret (Concannon), his wife of 26 years; his son, Russell Hamilton, his wife, Julie (Brown), and their children, Claire Beatrice and Bennett Rand, all of Lancaster; and his sister, Lorrie L. Miller, also of Lancaster.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service at Lititz Moravian Church, 8 Church Square, Lititz, Pennsylvania 17543, on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverend Mark V. Breland, Sr., officiating. Interment will be in God’s Acre, Lititz Moravian Church Cemetery, immediately following the service. Visitation with the family preceding the funeral service will be in the Eshbach Parlor at Lititz Moravian Church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The family will join relatives and friends for light refreshments in Fellowship Hall immediately following the burial.