Edgar Lee Miller was born at Rushsylvania, Logan County, Ohio March 19, 1923 the son of Eugene and Laura Miller, and graduated from Rushsylvania High School in 1941.
He entered the United States Army in January 1943, serving until February 1946, and was recalled to the service in January 1952, serving until August 1953.
In 1946 he enrolled in Findlay College, graduating with the Bachelor of Science Degree, and attended the Ohio Northern University College of Law from which he received the Degree of Juris Doctor. He was admitted to the Bar in 1951 and entered the practice of law in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
On August 7, 1949 he married Thelma Jeanne Dally, also a Findlay College graduate. They are the parents of a daughter, Janice, and are members off the First United Methodist Church of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Following separation from the service in 1953, he returned to the practice of law in Bellefontaine. He served as City Solicitor and was elected to take office as Probate and Juvenile Judge of Logan County in February 1961, serving there until he was elected to take office as Judge of the Third District Court of Appeals in February 1973.
He was a past president of the Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club, a former member of the Ohio Youth Services Advisory Board and was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Logan County, Ohio State, and American Bar Associations.
He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Bellefontaine Lodge No. 209 on January 9, 1954, serving as Worshipful Master in 1961; exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Lafayette Chapter No. 60 in April 1954, serving as High Priest in 1974; greeted in Logan Council No. 85 in October 1955, serving as Illustrious Master in 1970; knighted in Bellefontaine Commandery No. 61 in September 1954, serving as Eminent Commander in 1967.
He was a member of Ohio Priory No. 18, Knights of the York Cross of Honour.
He became a member of the bodies of the Valley of Dayton, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and was Coroneted, Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33rd Degree, in Chicago, Illinois, September 26, 1979.
He was a member of Bellefontaine Chapter No. 459, Order of the Eastern Star; Dayton Court No. 10; Royal Order of Jesters; Holy Grail Conclave, Order of the Red Cross of Constantine; Buckeye Council No. 92, Allied Masonic Degrees, and received the Honorary Legion of Honor from the International Order of DeMolay.
He was the Grand Representative of The Grand Lodge of Minnesota near The Grand Lodge of Ohio.
In October 1971, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Fifteenth Masonic District serving in that office for two years.
On October 13, 1973 he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by Most Worshipful Brother Royal C. Scofield. He was subsequently appointed Senior Grand Deacon in 1974, Grand Marshal in 1975, and Grand Orator in 1976.
He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1977, Senior Grand Warden in 1978, and Deputy Grand Master in 1979. On October 18, 1980 he was installed in Cincinnati as Grand Master of Masons in Ohio.
Most Worshipful Brother Miller served on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home from 1978 until 1992, and was President of the Board in 1991-92.
While spending the winter in Florida in 2001, he suffered a mild heart attack. While in a Sarasota Hospital, he discovered that a coronary artery was blocked 90 percent and the surgical procedure of angioplasty was performed with a stint placed in the artery. Thereafter, the affects of his heart condition led to gradually deteriorating health.
On the evening before he died, our Past Grand Master attended his home Bellefontaine Lodge to watch a degree presentation.
Most Worshipful Brother Edgar Lee Miller passed away about 11 a.m. on February 20, 2002 in Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine. Masonic Services were conducted by Bellefontaine Lodge, No. 209 on February 22, 2002 in Eichholtz Funeral Home. Funeral services were con- ducted on February 23, 2002 in First United Methodist Church in Bellefontaine. Our Beloved Brother was laid to rest in Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Most Worshipful Brother Miller was both a dynamic and respected professional in his community and state, as well as being a dedicated servant for Freemasonry. His wisdom, humor, leadership, and service will be missed by all who knew him.