Lowell Thomas Miller, 71, of Hope, went to be with his Savior on March 14, 2012. He was fatally injured while cutting timber in a woods near Hope, Indiana.

Lowell graduated from New Point High School in 1958 and began working in the lumber business. He attended the NHLA Inspection Training School in Memphis, TN. Lowell moved to Hope and became the owner of Hope Hardwoods which he operated with his sons for 40 years. It was a career he loved and was passionate about. He was a member of the Indiana Hardwood Lumberman's Association (IHLA) of which he had also served as a board member. He was a past president of the Indiana Forest Industry Council. He was instrumental in instituting the Log-a-Load program for Riley Children's Hospital, where he built several log cabins which were auctioned off to benefit Riley's. In 1992 Lowell was named Logger of the Year and in 2000 he received the Charles Deam Award for good stewardship of Indiana forests. The IHLA was preparing to present Lowell with the Legacy Award in April. In addition to his success in the lumber industry, Lowell was also a partner in Hope Warehouse with his sons.

Lowell was a member of, and treasurer for, the St. Louis Crossing Baptist Church. He was an 18-year member of the Hope Lions Club also serving as their treasurer. He had served on and been president of the Hope Town Council. He was a founding donor of the Hawcreek-Flat Rock Area Endowment Fund and currently was on the Hope Economic Development Board.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10 a.m. at the Hope Moravian Church. Calling will be Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. at Norman Funeral Home and from 9 to 10 a.m Monday at the church. Burial will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Smyrna.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.NormanFuneralHome.net. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hawcreek-Flat Rock Area Endowment Fund or the Hope Lions Club.

Born in the family home in Decatur County on August 26, 1940, Lowell was the son of Carl and Goldia Miller. He married Leveana Scudder in 1958. They had five sons: Tom (Sandy) Miller, Hope; Gary (Sharene), Hartsville; Ben (Laura), Hartsville; Wally (Heather), Greenwood; and Jeff (Jenny), Plano, TX.

On April 25, 1992, he married Kim A. Thayer Miller. They have a daughter, Paige A. Miller, who is currently a student at Hauser High School. His survivors include his children, his mother, his sisters: Arlene Parker, Peggy Weil, and Sue Hahn; his brothers Jim, Larry, Dyar and Doug Miller; his grandchildren: Justin, Chad, Jake, Gabe, Adam, Ethan, Caleb, Jordan, Jessica, Jennie, Jackie, Josh, Julia, Sean, Sam, Malee and Mollianne Miller and great-grandchildren: Lily, Leo, Kinlee, Kambri, and Brinley Miller, Myles Buckner and Hae-Leigh Washburn. He was preceded in death by his father.

Lowell loved to fish, camp, go 4-wheeling, ride his motorcycle, read books on history, talk to people and attend his daughter's and grandchildren's activities. He loved the Hope community to which he gave much of his time and resources. His family was his most cherished treasure and he will be sadly missed by them, his friends, and all those who benefited from his kind and generous heart.