Stephen Miller

May 4, 1927 - March 7, 2012

Stephen Miller, 84, of Merriam, KS, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at Garden Terrace of Overland Park. Funeral services will be at 3:00pm Thursday, March 8, 2012 at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64131 with burial to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Garden Terrace or codajazzfund.org. Mr. Miller attended the High School of Music and Art in New York. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II as a member of the U.S. Navy Band. Afterward he received a full scholarship to Juilliard School of Music where he earned his BFA degree. He came to Kansas City to play in the Kansas City Philharmonic, and also received an MFA from Kansas City University and taught private lessons in piano and trombone. During that time playing piano, he formed several combos which developed into his own orchestra groups. They played at many clubs, private parties, tea dances, weddings, bar/bas mitzvahs. His band was featured at the Ballet Balls, Jewel Balls, Lyric Opera Balls, and BOTAR balls. His group was also featured at a Cabaret Concert with the KC Philharmonic. Steve also made several recordings. In 1992 the Steve Miller KC Band was selected to represent Kansas City at the World’s Fair in Seville Spain. Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his parents, George and Helen Miller and brother, Reuben Miller. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dr. Dolores Miller of the home; sons and daughters-in-laws: Edward and Karen Miller, Sierra Madre, CA; David and Esther Miller, Beit Shemesh, Israel, sister-in-law, Betty Miller, Long Island, NY; brother-in-law, Rabbi Bernard Barsky, Dayton, OH; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Rosalie and Steve Fein and Judy and Niles Corson, all of Overland Park; grandchildren: Georgia Miller, CA; Sarah and Bracha Miller, Israel and many nieces and nephews.