HomeTemplatesSecularForever in Our Hearts
SecularAngel Wings

Forever in Our Hearts

A warm family-centered tribute for a beloved grandparent.

Full biographyFamily listingService detailsDonation infoPrint-readyFavorite verse

Harold James Miller

February 8, 1936July 22, 2026

Akron, Ohio · Columbus, Ohio

Harold James Miller was born on February 8, 1936, in Akron, Ohio, to Walter and Dorothy Miller. He grew up during the Depression and the war years, which gave him a practical relationship with the world: you fixed what was broken, you saved what you had, you showed up when people needed you, and you didn't make a fuss about any of it. Harold served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1957, completing his service honorably before returning to Ohio to attend Ohio State University on the GI Bill. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and spent thirty-four years at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, rising to the position of Director of Systems Engineering before retiring in 1995. He married Beverly Ann Kowalski in 1962, and together they raised three children in a house on Elmwood Avenue in Columbus that Harold largely built and repaired himself over sixty years. He was the kind of man who could fix a furnace, rewire a lamp, build a deck, and tune a carburetor, and who did all of these things for his children and grandchildren without being asked and without expecting thanks. Harold was a devoted grandfather who attended every soccer game, every school play, and every graduation. He taught his grandchildren to fish, to change a tire, to play chess, and to shake hands firmly. He was not a man of many words, but the words he chose were worth hearing. His grandchildren called him Pop-Pop and knew that his workshop was the best place in the world to spend a Saturday morning. Harold James Miller passed away on July 22, 2026, at the age of 90, at home, surrounded by his family. He was a good man in the truest sense of the phrase.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." — Colossians 3:23–24

Memorial Service

Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service

1051 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205

July 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Sample — ObituaryMLS

obituarymls.com

Scan to create your own memorial

How to use this template

This template honors a beloved grandparent whose life was defined by family, hard work, and quiet devotion. The Angel Wings theme reflects warmth, comfort, and the enduring presence of someone deeply loved.

  1. 1

    Capture his generation's character

    Men of Harold's generation often showed love through action rather than words. Describe the specific things he did — the repairs he made, the games he attended, the skills he taught. These actions are the love story.

  2. 2

    Include his military service

    For veterans of the Greatest Generation, military service is a defining part of the identity. Include the branch, the years of service, and the rank. Even if he rarely spoke of it, it shaped who he was.

  3. 3

    Describe his relationship with grandchildren

    For a grandparent, the relationship with grandchildren is often the most tender part of the story. Describe what he taught them, what they called him, and what his home meant to them.

  4. 4

    Use a simple, dignified closing

    For a secular grandparent, a simple closing works best — "He was a good man in the truest sense of the phrase" or "She was the kind of person who made everyone around her better." Avoid clichés.

  5. 5

    List grandchildren and great-grandchildren

    For a grandparent, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren are the most important part of the survivors list. List them by name if possible — it honors each one individually.

Cultural note

Secular grandparent obituaries often focus on the practical legacy — the skills taught, the values modeled, the home built. This is a legitimate and meaningful form of tribute that does not require religious framing.

Print tip

The Angel Wings theme prints beautifully on cream or ivory cardstock. For a grandparent's memorial, a warm, traditional feel is appropriate. Print at 100% scale.

QR Code Generator

Create a scannable QR code for this template or any memorial URL

Link directly to the Forever in Our Hearts template.

Share this QR so family can start a memorial using this exact template.

Output size

Enter a URL above to generate your QR code

Pro tip: Print your QR code on funeral programs, memorial cards, or headstone markers. Scan with any smartphone camera — no app required. For the best print quality, use the Print (1200 px) size.

Ready to create a memorial?

Start with this template — pre-filled with sample content you can personalize in minutes.

Use this template