On the evening of August 29, 2026, one day before his 88th birthday, Arlis Curt Miller, beloved husband of Rebecca, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed from the arms of his loved one’s into his eternal rest.
Arlis was born on August 30, 1938 in Chloe, WV, in Calhoun County to the late Emry and Virginia Miller. He is also preceded in death by his twin brothers Carl and Carroll Miller and his father and mother-in-law Neil (Doc) and Yvonne Lothes.
Arlis is survived by his wife, Rebecca Lothes Miller, his brothers, Leo (Juanita) Miller and Bernard (Elaine) Miller, sister-in-law Genvieve Miller; his five children, John (Jennifer) Miller, Gary Miller, Timothy (Kaitlyn) Miller, Rosanna Miller and Diane Miller, his 13 grandchildren, Malachi, K’Lyn, and Kaci Miller; Taylor and Emma Miller; Clinton, Trinton, Braelyn Miller and their mother Trinity Polan; Ryker, Tripp, James, Jaxton, and Jaycee Miller. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed (Irene) Lothes, Debby (Sam) Scarberry, Joe (Jane) Lothes, Regina (David) Oldaker, Trish Briscoe, Cathy Lothes, Jenny Hall, Teresa (Michael) Weaver, George (Carla) Lothes; and many nieces and nephews.
Arlis and Becky were married on August 12, 1978 in an ecumenical ceremony at the First Baptist Church and Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Grantsville, WV. They lived and raised their five children in their beloved barn house in Grantsville for 30 years before moving to Parkersburg, WV.
Arlis is a graduate of Calhoun County High School and Glenville State College. He served as an administrator for the Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for a 14 county region. After leaving his 34 year career, Arlis led the development of the Minnie Hamilton Nursing Home in Grantsville.
He was a stellar volunteer – a member of the Jay-Cees in Grantsville, the Wood Festival Committee, as well as serving on many boards. He was an orderly at the hospital, an ambulance driver for the local funeral home, started a 4-H soccer program in Grantsville, and was a multi-gallon blood donor through the Red Cross. At Prince of Peace and St. Margaret Mary Church, Arlis was an altar server, Eucharistic Minister and served on the parish pastoral council.
One of the most meaningful ministries that Arlis undertook began 17 years ago, when he partnered with Val Kula, who was the Regional Director of Catholic Charities to develop Stone Soup Kitchen. With the support of the four Catholic Churches in Wood County and a myriad of volunteers, they began serving lunch to anyone in need every Wednesday at Saint Francis Xavier parish center on Market Street in Parkersburg. Arlis was one of the chief cooks when the program started and he continued to volunteer in that capacity as long as he was able. His last time at Stone Soup Kitchen was one month before he passed away.
The family is especially grateful to Amedysis Hospice; Centerwell Home Health nurse Jordan Bailey; and his very special nurse/brother-in-law Michael Weaver, who attended faithfully and skillfully to his care at home.
To celebrate his life, a funeral mass will be held at St Margaret Mary Catholic Church on Thursday, September 10th at 12:00 noon with Rev. Sebastian Devasya and Rev. John Kwiecien celebrants. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in The Lothes Family Cemetery, Montrose, WV.
Leavitt Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Donations may be made in Arlis’ memory to Stone Soup Kitchen c/o St Margaret Mary Catholic Church 2500 Dudley Avenue, Parkersburg, WV 26101.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com
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