Fr. John Miller

May 5, 1948 – September 22, 2021

John Patrick Miller was born in O’Neill, Nebraska, on May 5, 1948, the son of Marvin Miller and Mary Constance Golden Miller. Following graduation from St. Mary’s Catholic School in O’Neill, he studied at Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska, in 1970. In 1969 he began summer employment with the Park Service in Montana, and then taught in Billings, Montana. During his career, he also studied at Eastern Montana College in Billings, and Montana State University in Bozeman.

In 1974, he petitioned and was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Helena. His theological studies were at St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, Colorado. Bishop Elden Francis Curtiss ordained him as a priest for the Diocese of Helena at St. Patrick Church in Billings, Montana, on May 19, 1978.

His priestly assignments included: Associate Pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Butte (1978), Graduate Studies at Montana State University, Bozeman, with residence at Holy Rosary Parish (1980); Superintendent of Butte Central Catholic Schools and Principal of Butte Central High School (1981); Chancery with responsibilities for the Diocesan Centennial Celebration and Carroll College Faculty (1983); Pastor, St. John the Baptist Parish, Frenchtown (1984); Pastor, St. Anthony Parish, Missoula (1991); Pastor, St. Richard Parish, Columbia Falls (2005); Senior Status with residence in Missoula (2018). As a senior status priest, he traveled the United States to promote the work of Catholic Relief Services.

For the past few months of his life, Father John resided at The Auberge at Missoula Valley and at The Springs at Missoula. He died on September 22, 2021.

Funeral Services for Fr. Miller: The Vigil will be on Monday, October 4, at 7 pm at St. Anthony Parish, 217 Tremont St., Missoula. His Funeral Mass will be on October 5, at 11:00 am, also at St. Anthony Parish.