Bessie Miller

Coffeyville resident Bessie Elaine Miller died early Sunday morning, March 18, 2007 in Coffeyville. She was 91. Elaine was born January 2, 1916 in Bartlett, Kansas to Charles and Gertie S. Bourquin Abshier. She grew up and attended school in Barlett, Kansas through the eighth grade. In 1972, at the age of 56 she received her GED from the Coffeyville Community College. On August 30, 1937 she married Edward Virgil Miller at the Independence, Kansas Presbyterian Church in the pastors study. The couple were married 68 years when Mr. Miller preceded her in death on February 21, 2006. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Her and her husband were 60 year members of the Coffeyville United Methodist Church and Keystone Sunday School Class. They were also avid sports fans, attending all Red Ravens and Golden Tornado events, and enjoyed camping and traveled in every state of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, Europe and Egypt. She is survived by son Larry Miller and wife Nancy of Poughkeepsie, New York; Daughter Donna Justice and husband Bill of Muskogee, Oklahoma; daughter Dixie OConnell and husband Pat; and daughter Cheryl George and husband David all of Coffeyville. There are 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. There is a sister Eula Vandermark of Fairland, Oklahoma. Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward V. Miller, brothers, Edwin, Roy, and Earl and a great-grandson. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 26, 2007 in the Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville. Services are under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Home of Coffeyville. Friends may call on Sunday, March 25, 2007 from 1 pm until 9 pm and on Monday, March 26, 2007 from 9 am until noon at the funeral home to sign the guest register. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 26, 2007 from 10:00 am until noon at the funeral home. Friends should gather at the gravesite prior to service time. Memorials may be made to the Ed and Elaine Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund, Field Kindley High School, 1110 West 8th St. Coffeyville, Kansas 67337 To leave a special message online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com