Thomas E. “Tom” Miller died June 3. He was 92 years of age, and was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, in November 2022. Miller served as Director of Mission for the Central Baptist Association from 1979 to 1994.
He pastored several churches in the Decatur area, including Hammond Missionary Baptist Church, Macon First Baptist Church, and Hayworth First Baptist Church. Miller graduated from Bethel Bible Institute, a school formerly operated by Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. His ministry began in East Peoria, where he planted Richland Southern Baptist Church.
Miller was succeeded as DOM by Lanny Faulkner, a colleague and friend who remembered him as an effective soul winner and church builder. “He was also hilarious, though he didn’t always intend to be,” Faulkner said.
Miller had two sons, Michael and Ernie, and three stepchildren, Cindy, Bonnie, and the late Timothy Owens. Mike Miller retired as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Galva in 2021.
His funeral will be held at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur on June 19, beginning with a visitation at 9 a.m. followed by a service at 10 a.m. For more information, go to https://www.brintlingerandearl.com/obituaries.