Leslie “Les” Miller
May 1st, 1945 - July 10th, 2025
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Les's Obituary
Les Miller, 80, of St. Joseph, Michigan, passed away on July 10, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on May 1, 1945, to Edward and Vivian (Griffis) Miller, Les was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, attended Lake Michigan College, and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Les began his career at Auto Specialties, working his way up from “mailboy” to International Sales Manager. A natural entrepreneur, he went on to own two small businesses until he retired, Pets N More and Sherman’s Dairy Bar, both in the Orchards Mall. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor for many years, proudly serving as secretary and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow.
On August 6, 1965, Les married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Cindy Sillaway. Together, they built a home and a life on Wayne Street in St. Joseph, where they raised their daughters, Lisa and Laura. Their family grew further when they helped raise Mari, a remarkable foster daughter who became, and remains, one of the “Miller Girls.” They also welcomed Marcel Maier, an exchange student from Germany, who became their “bonus son” and a cherished member of the family to this day.
Les had a zest for life and a wide array of passions: golf, boating, downhill skiing, bowling, softball, swimming, diving, and countless home improvement projects. He and Cindy worked on every home they lived in, including their farm in Benton Harbor and their retirement home in Boynton Beach, Florida. Always ready with his tool belt, Les generously helped family and friends with repairs or projects of their own.
He loved traveling with Cindy—from San Francisco to the Caribbean, and later, to Canada, Great Britain, and France alongside their children and grandchildren.
Known for his sharp wit and quick humor, Les passed his sense of fun and his work ethic on to his family. Even as dementia took its toll, his instinct to help others never faded. He was the kind of man who couldn’t pass an animal on the side of the road without stopping to ensure it received a proper burial—a testament to his quiet compassion.
Les will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Cindy; daughters Lisa (Mark) Cooney, Laura (Ron) Goos, and Mari (Mike) Hoffmann; and son Marcel (Barbara) Maier. He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Morgan and Maggie Cooney, Emma, Jacob, and Rachel Goos. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Delores) Miller, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Beverly Jean.
In celebration of Les’s life, the family invites friends and loved ones to a “19th Hole” Happy Hour on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, Saint Joseph. Join us to share memories, raise a glass, and enjoy some snacks—just the way Les would have wanted. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Diabetic Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Berrien County Animal Services. In lieu of any donation, consider writing your representatives and demanding more research into developing a cure for dementia and Alzheimer’s. In addition, the family would like to thank the care team at Woodland Terrace of Paw Paw Lake as well as Centrica Care Hospice for the love and support they provided during Les’s illness and final days. Please visit Les's personalized webpage to view his complete obituary, share a memory or leave a condolence to his family at www.starks-menchinger.com
Born on May 1, 1945, to Edward and Vivian (Griffis) Miller, Les was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, attended Lake Michigan College, and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Les began his career at Auto Specialties, working his way up from “mailboy” to International Sales Manager. A natural entrepreneur, he went on to own two small businesses until he retired, Pets N More and Sherman’s Dairy Bar, both in the Orchards Mall. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor for many years, proudly serving as secretary and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow.
On August 6, 1965, Les married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Cindy Sillaway. Together, they built a home and a life on Wayne Street in St. Joseph, where they raised their daughters, Lisa and Laura. Their family grew further when they helped raise Mari, a remarkable foster daughter who became, and remains, one of the “Miller Girls.” They also welcomed Marcel Maier, an exchange student from Germany, who became their “bonus son” and a cherished member of the family to this day.
Les had a zest for life and a wide array of passions: golf, boating, downhill skiing, bowling, softball, swimming, diving, and countless home improvement projects. He and Cindy worked on every home they lived in, including their farm in Benton Harbor and their retirement home in Boynton Beach, Florida. Always ready with his tool belt, Les generously helped family and friends with repairs or projects of their own.
He loved traveling with Cindy—from San Francisco to the Caribbean, and later, to Canada, Great Britain, and France alongside their children and grandchildren.
Known for his sharp wit and quick humor, Les passed his sense of fun and his work ethic on to his family. Even as dementia took its toll, his instinct to help others never faded. He was the kind of man who couldn’t pass an animal on the side of the road without stopping to ensure it received a proper burial—a testament to his quiet compassion.
Les will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Cindy; daughters Lisa (Mark) Cooney, Laura (Ron) Goos, and Mari (Mike) Hoffmann; and son Marcel (Barbara) Maier. He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Morgan and Maggie Cooney, Emma, Jacob, and Rachel Goos. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Delores) Miller, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Beverly Jean.
In celebration of Les’s life, the family invites friends and loved ones to a “19th Hole” Happy Hour on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, Saint Joseph. Join us to share memories, raise a glass, and enjoy some snacks—just the way Les would have wanted. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Diabetic Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Berrien County Animal Services. In lieu of any donation, consider writing your representatives and demanding more research into developing a cure for dementia and Alzheimer’s. In addition, the family would like to thank the care team at Woodland Terrace of Paw Paw Lake as well as Centrica Care Hospice for the love and support they provided during Les’s illness and final days. Please visit Les's personalized webpage to view his complete obituary, share a memory or leave a condolence to his family at www.starks-menchinger.com
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