Denise Miller

Denise Sue Miller, 65, of Frankfort, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, with her husband and two daughters by her side. Denise was born in Sandusky, Ohio, on April 5, 1959, to Tolva and Stella (Salisbury) Hamilton who preceded her in death. She married Dan Miller, her high school sweetheart, 47 years ago on July 21st. She is "Mum" to two daughters and their husbands, Danielle (Butch) McDaniel, and Angie (Tommy) Collier. She is "Mammaw" to Faithie and Brigs McDaniel (Kynze Bayes). Her life was forever changed when her grandchildren were born.  She was like a second mom to her "babies." Denise was fully committed to ensuring the happiness of her "little family."

She is the little sister to three brothers: Gary "Dean" Hamilton, Arnold Hamilton and Roy McKinney, and big sister to Tim (Amy) Hamilton, all surviving. She was preceded in death by two infant siblings. Denise continues to be loved deeply by her immediate family, along with several special brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, her Aunt Dolly, classmates, special friends and neighbors, including Debbie & Kim Engel, and Kathy Gillespie, who became family.

Denise graduated from Adena High School and Pickaway Ross Vocational School in 1977.  She was a hard worker, whether it be during various employment, or working alongside Dan, on projects or houses, including the kids' childhood home. She made everything magical, especially Christmas. She will always be with us when hiking in nature, identifying trees, picking wildflowers, mushroom hunting, watching the deer, rabbits, and hummingbirds. She is the all-time winner of scrabble. She loved sweets, crafts, games, fishing, dancing, music, cats, petunias and rose of sharon. Dan (mostly), and daughters have been trying to maintain her beautiful flowers, to her delight and most likely to her humor.

Denise has often been described as beautiful inside and out, but she is so much more than that. She was a warrior, selfless, strong, and brave. She never waivered or gave up as she fought pancreatic cancer, even through fears and pain. In fact she grew during this time, as a person, in her faith, at church, and in her love for others. One could say, she rose to the challenge. She truly did win this battle.

It is an absolute honor to be her husband and daughters. While there are no words to express our gratitude and love for her, we hope we have been able to show her. We have known the blessing of our family bond, and hope for all who find themselves in the midst of a storm, to always focus on and be grateful for the good and for each other.

We would like to thank family, friends, and neighbors for their care and support. A special thank you to Barnyard Believers Church. Denise loves her little church family, as well as many other churches, and community members who prayed endlessly for Denise's miracle, and if not, for her peace and comfort.

In addition, we would like to thank the special nurses and doctors at OSU ER and The James, who treated her like family. To the wonderful staff at National Church Residences Hospice, our deepest appreciation for honoring Denise as a person, while assisting and encouraging Dan and daughters as we provided her care at home, which is where we all wished for her to be.

Her funeral service will be held at Noon Wednesday, July 31, at Haller Funeral Home & Crematory, with Pastor Craig Reichert officiating.  Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5-8pm Tuesday, and 1 hour prior to the funeral Wednesday, at the funeral home.