James Michael “Zeke” Miller, 69, of Wellington, Florida, formerly of Proctorville, Ohio, departed this life on January 14, 2021 at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on November 20, 1951. He graduated from Fairland High School in 1969, when he moved to Florida and began a lifelong career proudly serving with the Hialeah Fire Department for 39 years, recently promoted to Chief Engineer. He was also an avid fisherman, his favorite spot being the Florida Everglades. Preceding him in death were his parents, James and Grace Miller, and three brothers, Blaine (Chestene) Miller, Richard Miller, and William “Bill” (Bobbie) Miller. He is survived by his two children, son James Andrew (Sarah) Miller of Russell, KY., and daughter Melissa Ann (Chucky) Atkins of Hurricane, WV. Also surviving are his four granddaughters whom he loved dearly, Elizabeth, Paige, Riley, and Madeline. He also leaves behind a fiancé, Linda DeFrehn of Jacksonville, NC., his dear friends and coworkers from the Hialeah Fire Department, Eric Johnson and Paul Abolofia, along with lifelong friends Allan Estep, Phil Smith, and Danny Montroso, and countless others. Per his request, he will be cremated. There will be service held Friday, January 22, 2021 from 4 to 6 p.m. for close family and friends at Hall Funeral Home and a memorial service in Hialeah, Florida where his brothers and sisters at the fire department will celebrate his life and honor his memory. Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, OH, is assisting the family with arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center and Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House for their extraordinary care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Huntington. Condolences may be expressed to the family at ehallfuneralhome.com.
